Overview
The Cotton Research and Development Corporation (CRDC) delivers outcomes in cotton research, development and extension (RD&E) for the Australian cotton industry.
A partnership between the Commonwealth Government and cotton growers, CRDC exists to grow the sustainable future of cotton through innovation with impact. We deliver world-class RD&E outcomes for the cotton industry through thought leadership, innovation, adoption and collaboration.
Cotton growers are at the heart of what we do: they determine our RD&E priorities and co-fund our research through a grower levy, matched by Commonwealth contributions.
Our growers, and the cotton they produce, are a major contributor to the nation's economic, environmental and social fabric.
According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), the value of cotton exports will be close to $7 billion from 2022–23, making cotton Australia’s third-ranking agricultural export commodity.
Australian cotton has a long-term commitment to improving its sustainability, and major gains have been made over time thanks to RD&E. Compared to 1992, Australian cotton growers use 97 per cent less pesticides, 52 per cent less water, and 34 per cent less land to grow one bale of cotton.
Cotton employs up to an estimated 12,000 people across 150 rural and regional communities, many of which rely heavily on cotton for their economic prosperity and viability. Each year, Australia grows enough of this high-quality natural fibre to clothe 500 million people.
Innovative and adaptive growers, supported by RD&E and world-leading researchers, have driven Australian cotton's success. CRDC’s role is to continue driving this success through RD&E. Read more about our investments in Research & Development.
We are based in Narrabri NSW (one of the major centres of cotton growing in Australia), and have satellite offices in Emerald, Toowoomba and Brisbane.
We acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the traditional custodians of the land on which we work. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging.
Our Purpose
Grow the sustainable future of cotton through innovation with impact.
Our Mission
Deliver world-class RD&E outcomes for the cotton industry through thought leadership, innovation and adoption through collaboration and partnership.
Our Values
Bold, collaborative, future-focused and trusted.