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Strengths Weaknesses
Skilled and adaptable growers
Low levels of disease and pest problems
Industry driven leading environmental management
Vertical integration through the supply chain
Successful RD&E program varieties, yields, use water efficiency,
extension, etc
High uptake of research via industry extension
Cooperative institutions, committed leaders and a unified industry
Highly susceptible to climate change and water use restrictions
Current mix or rice crop varieties are vulnerable to cold weather
Slowing in the rate of yield increase - breeding program addressing
other priorities
Lack of options for farmers to grow their businesses or ensure
successful exit
Research gap in relation to whole farm system and its optimisation
Diminishing and aging population of future growers and leaders
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Opportunities Threats
Favourable market outlook
Some capacity to respond to worldwide food security concerns
Industry expansion into new Australian states and regions
Partnerships including those with other industries and other RDCs
Potential for R&D to achieve further yield and water use efficiency
improvements
Capacity to develop greater flexibility in the rice farming system
Achieve theoretical on-farm yield potential via management and
extension
Improve harvesting, storage, handling and transport
Loss of RD&E capacity
Reduction in government funding for rural industry R&D as
recommended by the PC
Climate variability critically limiting production
More variable production impacting milling and marketing operations
Loss of geographic concentration efficiencies if industry expands into
new area
Loss of single desk may impact export returns which drive industry
profitability
Possible long term divergence between grower and SunRice interests
State government withdrawal from extension services
Impact of production variability on funds for R&D
Other environmental issues salinity, biodiversity, stubble burning, etc

Exotic pest / disease threats, herbicide resistance
Farm input cost increases fertiliser, fuel, chemicals