South Australian Research & Development Institute (SARDI)

Who We Are

SARDI, a Division of the South Australian Department of Primary Industries and Regions (PIRSA), is the SA Government’s principal research institute for primary industries creating opportunities to ensure the agriculture, food, aquatic and bioscience industries are internationally competitive and ecologically sustainable. SARDI focusses on food safety and innovation, production systems and productivity enhancement, water utilisation and climate adaptation, product integrity, plant breeding, molecular diagnostics, market access, supplier competitiveness and biosecurity. SARDI research divisions are aquatic sciences, livestock and farming systems, and sustainable systems. SARDI has more than 300 scientific, technical and support staff and has management responsibility for 12 research centres across South Australia.

Research & Development

The South Australian Research and Development Institute (SARDI) provides research and development services to the state government, commercial clients and research partners to help make South Australia’s primary industries and regions internationally competitive and ecologically sustainable.

SARDI’s programs are designed to increase the productivity, sustainability and adaptability of the state’s agriculture, food and wine, fisheries and aquaculture and bioscience enterprises, create opportunities for market growth, address barriers to growth and provide applied solutions.

Priorities

We address the following priorities for primary industries:

• marine and fresh-water resource management, including wild fisheries and aquaculture
• new crop varieties and production technologies
• biosecurity
• food safety and innovation
• sustainable use of resources
• adaptation to climate variability in regional South Australia
• innovation capability and enabling technologies
• animal health and welfare.

People

Our people are highly skilled, experienced and passionate about their work.

They pursue innovative research and practical solutions for our state’s primary industries.

Many SARDI scientists have produced groundbreaking research and are considered world leaders in their field.

Our research benefits from collaborations with key industries, primary producers, numerous research institutions and other organisations.

We have a comprehensive range of expertise, technical knowledge and services.

Values

• scientific excellence
• progressive, economic and technologically advanced methodologies
• a contemporary outlook to which embrace technology and flexible approaches to meet client needs
• a collaborative spirit
• accuracy and timeliness
• courage and humility
• professional and ethical standards
• care for people and the environment.

Facilities

We have an extensive network of research centres, laboratories and field sites across the state.

Our people and collaborators benefit from our modern and advanced research centres and related infrastructure and resources.