As agriculture continues to respond to emerging regional and global challenges, The UWA Institute of Agriculture’s 2024 Annual Research Report highlights the research, collaborations and innovations contributing to a more resilient and sustainable agricultural future.

In 2024, research in agriculture and related areas at The University of Western Australia continued to advance, culminating in the publication of 345 peer-reviewed journal articles and book chapters. 

These accomplishments and more are documented in The UWA Institute of Agriculture’s Annual Research Report 2024, released today.

Now in its 18th edition, the report provides a comprehensive overview of UWA’s agricultural research, development, and training in local, national and global contexts.

Image: The front cover and select pages from the IOA Annual Research Report 2024.

The Institute’s Director, Hackett Professor Kadambot Siddique, said the 2024 report reflects a year of innovation, collaboration, and international recognition.

“We welcomed 17 new PhD candidates, celebrated several researchers named on the Highly Cited Researchers list, and earned multiple national and international awards,” Professor Siddique said. 

“Importantly, UWA was ranked 1st in Australia and 9th in the world for Agricultural Sciences in the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities — a reflection of the quality and impact of our multidisciplinary research across the Institute’s six Research Themes.”

Throughout the year, IOA strengthened its engagement with stakeholders and raised the visibility of its research through more than 20 events, including the 18th Industry Forum, which attracted over 270 participants, and the Shenton Park Field Station Open Day, attended by more than 250 visitors.

Special highlights included hosting Dr Ismahane Elouafi, Executive Managing Director of CGIAR, for the 2024 Hector and Andrew Stewart Memorial Lecture, and welcoming the Governor of Western Australia, His Excellency the Honourable Christopher Dawson AC APM, and Mrs Darrilyn Dawson to UWA Farm Ridgefield.

UWA’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research), Professor Anna Nowak, said the IOA played a central role in advancing the University’s mission as a research-intensive institution addressing regional and global challenges in agriculture, food systems and environmental sustainability.

“The IOA’s partnerships across UWA, government, industry and international collaborators ensure our research is not only rigorous, but also highly relevant and responsive to today’s needs,” Professor Nowak said.

Chair of the IOA Industry Advisory Board, Dr Terry Enright, noted the Institute’s sustained connection with the agricultural sector. “In 2024, the IOA continued to strengthen its ties with industry and grower groups, with the Industry Forum tackling the question ‘Can agriculture reach Net Zero?’ — a timely and critical discussion,” Dr Enright said.

The IOA’s strong portfolio of externally funded research was further bolstered in 2024 through its participation in major national initiatives such as the CRC for Solving Antimicrobial Resistance in Agribusiness, Food and Environments (CRC SAAFE) and the CRC for Net Zero Emissions in Agriculture.

For more information, view and download the Annual Research Report 2024.