On 12 July 2021, the NSW Government Department of Primary Industries’ Agriculture divison appointed Matt Adkins as Leader for Industry Adoption..
In his new position, Adkins will help to boost industry adoption of science-based business solutions arising from research and development activities conducted by DPI and its collaborators – including university-based researchers and the CRC.
“Matt will provide strategic guidance and operational support for industry development, adoption and digital delivery across NSW,” DPI’s Darren Bayley said. “This will foster greater profitability, improved efficiency and positive environmental and social outcomes for the different agricultural sectors we serve.”
Adkins beat out an ‘extremely competitive’ field, impressing the selection panel with his ‘expertise and experience in leadership roles that require sound strategy development and innovative approaches when implementing and adopting R&D outputs within commercial settings’, stated a DPI media release.
He has spent the past fortnight transitioning from his current position as DPI Agriculture’s Leader, Northern Horticulture.
“I am looking forward to the challenge of assisting the department in developing a data-led capacity to better identify the adoption and research needs of NSW’s agriculture industry and help drive a focus on identifying and measuring adoption outcomes,” Adkins said.
Adkins has more than two decades’ experience in both research and industry adoption of R&D. He has dealt with horticultural supply chains locally and globally, including spending 12 years in the private sector working with Zespri and New Zealand’s kiwifruit industry and DOW Chemical. Adkins holds an Honours Degree in Environmental Science and Ecology.
Source: New DPI appointment to strengthen industry adoption of agriculture projects I NSW Department of Primary Industries (NSW DPI) media release, 12 July 2021
Lead image: Matt Adkins, the new Leader of Industry Adoption within NSW DPI’s Agriculture division. Credit: NSW DPI