THE nation's chickpea research has received a boost to the tune of $10 million from the NSW Government.
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The funds, unveiled on Friday, will go towards new research infrastructure, such as cool rooms and a glasshouse at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute.
Announced by NSW Agriculture Minister Adam Marshall and Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson, the funds come on top of $30 million of research funding from the state government and the GRDC for the sector, which was announced in October.
"The investment will provide critical infrastructure for our researchers such as a temperature-controlled glasshouse, polyhouses, a processing laboratory, seed sorting, grading and storage facilities," Mr Marshall said.
"It is vital our researchers have the facilities they need and this new infrastructure will provide the springboard for insights for many years to come.
"Australia is now the largest exporter of chickpeas worldwide, and NSW accounts for almost half of the nation's production and we are perfectly positioned to take advantage of growing demand for this versatile legume."
Construction of the new infrastructure is expected to start in February and be completed by mid-2021.
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"The timing of that is perfect because this is a five-year research project and it will give our researchers those extra facilities they need to take their research to the next level," Mr Marshall said.
"What's driving huge demand in the consumption of chickpeas is ethical eating and more people seeking plant-based proteins, rather than meat-based proteins.
"Chickpeas is one of the best plant-based proteins you will find anywhere in the world, hence why we are trying to stay ahead of the curve."
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said the funding was "a huge win" for the Tamworth Agricultural Institute.
"The local community and economy will directly benefit from the workforce needed during the construction phase of the project and ongoing research and development activities at the Tamworth Agricultural Institute," Mr Anderson said.
"Global demand is only increasing, and we want people from all countries to be eating Aussie chickpeas.
"Better yet, we want them eating chickpeas grown right here in NSW."
Tamworth Agricultural Institute's chickpea breeder Dr Christy Hobson said the funding "provided a massive opportunity for our program".
"We've got expanding objectives under our new program and these facilities will allow us to deliver on those basic things," Dr Hobson said.
"Seed warehousing, seed processing and our general workflow will be so much more efficient for the program."