Pulse Check - Local Extension and Communication for Profitable Pulse Production in South East NSW

⁠⁠⁠Pulse Check - local extension and communication for profitable pulse production in South East NSW.

The Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) is a statutory corporation established under the Primary Industries Research and Development Act 1989. It is subject to accountability and reporting obligations set out in the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act 2013. It is responsible for planning, investing in and overseeing research and development, and delivering improvements in production, sustainability and profitability across the Australian grains industry.

Issue
Grower interest in pulse production has increased in line with improved prices (especially for lentil, chickpea and mungbean) and increased knowledge of the benefits to farming systems. To ensure growers have the confidence to establish or expand pulse production there are constraints and opportunities that must be understood and managed.

Project description
The GRDC seeks to invest in local extension and communication activities to support the development and continued growth of the Australian pulse industry.

The GRDC wishes to establish local groups, to be known as Pulse Check groups, to deliver bespoke development and extension activity within specified sub regions* of the GRDC northern region. Groups should have a mixed membership of growers, advisers and agribusiness.

The GRDC acknowledge that the 2018-19 season is particularly dry in a number of the GRDC’s northern sub regions limiting pulse production opportunities. In these regions project milestones will be developed to reflect the current dry season.

Once established it is envisaged that the Pulse Check groups will meet regularly to:
* Discuss district relevant information pertaining to pulse crop production; and
* Take part in local activities to address identified district-specific issues.

Tenderers should detail in their proposal:
* How many groups they plan to establish per sub-region
* The geographic footprint of each group
* How they plan to engage with key stakeholders to establish the initial membership base
* How the group will engage with existing GRDC pulse investments

The project must be completed by 30 June 2020. The project will be evaluated to determine its effectiveness and the need for further work.

See map of the GRDC northern region.

Outcome
By 2020, growers and advisors across the GRDC northern region have the tools, knowledge and confidence to optimise pulse crop yields through targeted extension and communication activities.

Output 1
By 15 September 2018, Pulse Check group(s) established with a membership of local growers, advisers, researchers and agribusiness.

Details
The group should have a minimum of 15 members. The groups should meet regularly to discuss pulse production topics and participate in group learning activities.

Output 2
By 15 August 2018, a communication and extension activities plan identifying a range of innovative activities, each with an evaluation and feedback component, to assist growers optimise pulse production in their sub-region.

Details
The plan should be developed initially for the 2018 cropping season and updated in 2019 to include findings from the situation analysis (Output 3).

The plan could include activities such as:
* Group learning activities such as field walks, bus tours, workshops or similar;
* Expert lectures on key management topics such as disease, weed, insects, nutrition, plant physiology, inoculant management, breeding and marketing;
* Demonstration and field trials where a need is identified;
* Pulse agronomy training workshops;
* Grower information and benchmarking evenings using case studies or focus paddocks; or
* Grower and adviser mentoring programs.

The plan should be developed in conjunction with the GRDC Grower Relations Manager.

Project communication materials should be developed in conjunction with the GRDC. The material will be made available to all growers and advisers through GRDC communication platforms.

Output 3
By 15 February 2019, a situation analysis identifying specific sub-region benefits, constraints and risks to pulse production. The document should include:
* Which pulses are or could be grown in the sub-region;
* Current grower and adviser knowledge, skills and ability to grow pulses; and
* Grower motivation for including pulses in their farming system
* Agronomic drivers of pulse production (weeds, insects, disease, soils, nutrition, climatic, harvest); and
* Economic drivers of pulse production (price, transport and market)

Details
The situation analysis should be developed following extensive consultation with local pulse industry stakeholders.

The situation analysis should be used to develop and refine the communication, demonstration and extension plan (Output 2). It should also, be used as a benchmark to monitor and evaluate the performance of the project.

The report to be submitted to the GRDC for approval.

Output 4
By 15 March 2020, a monitoring and evaluation report documenting the effectiveness of the Pulse Check group(s) and the degree to which it has addressed the needs identified in the situation analysis (Output 3).

Details
Report to be submitted to the GRDC for approval.

Proposed investment
No budget range will be provided for this project. The GRDC is focussed on delivering value to Australian grain grower, therefore, your application must demonstrate fair market value.

Contracting
This investment will be contracted on a GRDC Services Agreement. Each Agreement will c