The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES) today celebrates a milestone of 80 years of operations.
Recognised for its independent and authoritative analysis that has supported the growth and sustainability of Australia’s agricultural and resource sectors, the bureau first came into being on 21 August 1945.
Originally known as the Bureau of Agricultural Economics, one of its first functions was to “investigate the economic prospects of primary industries with particular reference to efficiency factors”.
The bureau has been through a series of mergers, most recently with the Bureau of Rural Sciences in 2010, bringing with it the capacity to undertake integrated economic, scientific and social science research.
ABARES’s functions have ranged from shaping Australia’s post-war agriculture policies to addressing contemporary challenges like climate change, sustainability and biosecurity issues.
ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville said the bureau had made a significant contribution to decisions on structural reform, trade, and natural resource management.
“Since we began, ABARES’ aim has been to provide professionally independent economic analysis and advice on agricultural policies – a mission that has remained at our core,” Dr Greenville said.
“A key activity of ABARES has been our farm surveys program, which expanded in 1971 to cover broadacre and dairy industries on an annual basis.
“The support of Australian farmers who volunteer their time and provide their data each year has been critical to the success of the farm surveys.”