Pollination Security
Cooperative Research Centre

Our Programs

The CRC Bid Scope has four programs, each with five individual activity streams:

1. The Pollination Ecosystem Program

Sustainable management of the pollination ecosystem
This key focus area addresses the pollination environment, including natural and farm habitats to increase the number and diversity of wild pollinators and other beneficial insects in the landscape.

Activity Streams

Developing an Australian National Pollination Strategy
Optimising pollinator habitat and resource provision
Evaluation of pollinator friendly farming practices
Discovering new pollinators
Education, training and extension

2. The Managed Pollinator Program

Improved management of the pollinator and supply chain
This key focus area addresses the capabilities and capacity of Australia’s current pollination providers, including managed honey bees, managed native bees and other managed pollinators.

Activity Streams

Improving honey bee genetics
Harnessing alternative pollinators
Enhancing managed pollinators health and nutrition
Controlling varroa and improving pollinator biosecurity
Education, training and extension

3. The Efficient Crop Pollination Program

Increased pollination efficacy
This key focus area addresses pollinator-dependent crops and plants and how improvements can be made at the plant or crop level to improve pollination outcomes.

Activity Streams

Improving Pollination in protected cropping systems
Applying alternative pollinator approaches
Managing plant flora reproductive traits
Integrating pollination, crop design and agronomy
Education, training and extension

4. The Platform Technology Program

Technology supporting the research
This key focus area develops and validates advanced sequencing, bioinformatics, remote sensing, geographical information systems, and artificial intelligence that support the research.

Activity Streams

Developing hive monitoring and location tracking systems to improve biosecurity
Tracking pollinators in the environment
Developing genetic tools for pollinators
Developing alternative pollination technologies
Education, training and extension

Outcomes

Within each of the key focus areas, the CRC’s research and extension projects will:

Increase national awareness of pollination security and improve coordinated risk management
Build capability across pollinator-dependent sectors
Implement practice change across agriculture and bee industries