Sustainable agrifood
Sustainable production of nutritious food is essential to feed a growing global population.
The emergence of the bioeconomy is expected to have a transformative effect on future materials and food systems, improving agricultural sustainability, decreasing carbon emissions and contributing to a circular economy. UQ researchers are driving the science, technology and innovations needed to create sustainable agriculture and food systems for future generations.
With a focus on innovation and industry outcomes, and access to high-tech labs and farming facilities, we closely work with our partners in government, agriculture, and the food and nutrition sectors to build new economic, environmental, and social opportunities at home and abroad.
What we offer
Partnering with us provides access to the following benefits.
Our capabilities
We deliver transformative outcomes and solutions for our government and industry partners, underpinned by world-leading expertise.
Plants and soil
- Agronomy and farming systems
- Crop science
- Horticulture
- Plant science
- Biotechnology
- Soil health
- Soil management
- Soil water and nutrient cycling
- - Ecohydrological modelling
- - Breeding, genetics and genomics
- Ecology
- Sustainability
- Pest and weed management
- Pathogen and disease management
- Vertical farming and protected cropping
Animals
- Animal health
- Animal welfare
- Production and livestock
- Aquaculture
- Parasitology
- Breeding and genetics
- Animal management
- Equine science
- Wildlife
- Resilience to heat and drought
Food science and technology
- Food safety and microbiology
- Innovative foods
- New product development
- Sensory analysis
- Flavour chemistry
- Preservation
- Food processing
- Nutrition
- Sustainable food production
Agribusiness
- Economics
- Development
- Rural community resilience
- Food systems
- Whole of supply chain management
- Gender inclusion
- Practise change
Digital agriculture
- Crop modelling and decision support
- Crop forecasting
- Genomics and genetics
- Sensors and automation
- Supply chain and markets
- UAV and remote sensing technologies
- Controlled environments
Bioeconomy
- Industrial biotechnology
- Bio-based processes
- Food waste and circularity
- Marine bioproducts
Collaborative initiatives
- Australia’s Food and Beverage Accelerator
- UQ Agrifood Innovation Alliance
- Analytics for the Australian Grains Industry (AAGI)
- Hy-Gain for smallholders
- Zero Net Emissions Agriculture CRC
- End Food Waste Australia
- CRC for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA)
- ARC Centre of Excellence for Plant Success in Nature and Agriculture
- ARC Research Hub for Sustainable Crop Protection
- ARC Training Centre for Environmental and Agricultural Solutions to Antimicrobial Resistance (ARC CEA-StAR)
- ARC Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Uniquely Australian Foods
Didn't find what you were looking for? We also have portfolios in Resilient Communities and Environment, Advanced Manufacturing and Minerals and Resources.
Partner with us
Keen to know more or have an idea for a partnership? Contact our industry specialist.
Dr Alisa Becker
Associate Director (Environment and Agrifood)
Strategic Partnerships - Government and Industry
Email a.becker@uq.edu.au
Facilities and infrastructure
Our world-class research facilities include:
- UQ Gatton Farms, located on the Gatton campus 80 kilometres west of Brisbane. The farm covers 1068 hectares and includes a research dairy, horticultural fields, post-harvest facilities, greenhouses and CRAVO, Digi field platform, crop research and veterinary science facilities.
- Plant Futures Facility, a world-leading research facility that underpins excellence and innovation in plant science and sustainable ecosystems for global impact. The facility contains an array of highly technical controlled environment rooms, capable of replicating a variety of environmental conditions to simulate natural conditions.
- Elkhorn Facility, Long Pocket, which includes food sensory and tissue culture labs
- Hermitage Research Facility - a shared site with Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
- Maroochy Research Facility - a shared site with Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries
- PC2-certified molecular laboratories
Research stories
See our research in action, learn more about ongoing projects and read our success stories.
Tree-eating cows may help save climate
The complexity of sugarcane genetics uncovered
