Map of industry capacity, innovation and learning culture of the Australian cotton industry

The CRDC Strategic R&D Plan 2008-13 describes investments in 'capacity building'. 

The outcome from these investments are: 

1. Industry and R&D capacity needs identified and gaps being addressed
   
2. An industry with the capacity to adopt outputs of research
   
3. The adoption of a shared vision for the cotton industry's future
   
4. Assessments of industry capacity to innovate, lead and adapt

Government, as a key stakeholder in Rural R&D, details the need to make more effective use of the resources and skills available in the community in general, and the scientific community in particular.

The table below highlights the scope of investing in capacity building.  It details the Social Indicators, the quests for information and data, and lists outputs from new research the resources it generates through strategic investment in R&D over at least five years.

Dealing with CRDC R&D investment strategy (Program 3, Human Capacity), capacity building is described as involving human, social, physical and natural capital.  Capacity building can be externally or internally initiated processes designed to help individuals and groups appreciate and manage their changing circumstances.

A series of studies exploring the various capital bases of human capacity for industry is under development.  Ongoing studies aim to discover more of what is currently known through desk research. Assement of the desk research is then designed to articulate industry and stakeholders needs while identifying what gaps may exist in industry's knowledge regarding industry's human capital and its future needs.  From 2008-2013, CRDC plans to initiate, support and invest in the gaps and in existing successful initiatives to address future capacity. 

It is the intent of all stakeholders to explore this field, and to report and advise on opportunities, successes and future goals.  The following table will allow you to navigate around the data that has been captured and what gaps exist to better describe future investment and engagement.