Western Region pulse research, demonstration, and extension

Summary and scope

GRDC is proposing a new Western Region investment to help more growers profitably include pulse crops in their farming systems. Pulses such as lupins, lentils, chickpeas and faba beans improve rotations, add nitrogen and support more diverse, profitable systems, yet adoption in Western Australia remains limited by practical barriers around establishment, weed and disease management, harvestability, market access, storage and confidence in local performance. The investment proposes a regional "hub and spoke" model that links practical paddock-scale learning with rigorous field research, with hub sites addressing key knowledge gaps and spoke sites delivering locally relevant trials, demonstrations, field days and workshops that benefit growers and advisers while generating quality datasets for industry. Local grower groups, advisers and stakeholders will shape annual priorities for each agro-ecological zone, drawing on the National Pulse Coordination and Strategy program for expertise in agronomy, crop protection, rhizobia, soils, trial design, data analysis, extension and markets, with flexibility to adjust as opportunities change. By 2032, the investment aims to equip Western Region growers and advisers with the knowledge and confidence to increase pulse production and improve gross margins, strengthening pulse agronomy capability in Western Australia and leaving a better-connected legacy of trial results, resources and practical guidance.