AGY-545 | Division of Plant Industry (c.1941-1980) Division of Plant Industries (1980- )

Full description

In 1940, the administrative structure of the Department of Agriculture was reorganised, so as to provide educational and investigative services specific to the work of each division of the department. The 30 previously existing branches were reduced to eight divisions, namely, Plant Industry, Horticulture, Animal Industry, Dairying, Science and Research, Marketing, Information and Extension Services and Administrative. (1)

The functions and responsibilities of the Division of Plant Industry were those of the former branches of the experimental farms and the field, agrostological, plant breeding and tobacco branches as well as a Biometrician, to provide assistance in the planning and examination of results of Departmental investigations. (2)

The functions of the Division included research and extension services relating to field crops and pastures, seed production, seed testing and certification, weed control, pest control, irrigation management and plant disease control.The research undertaken by the Division was carried out by staff at the Agricultural Research Centres located at Wollongbar, Tamworth, Orange, Yanco and Wagga; by the Agricultural Research Stations located in Glen Innes, Trangie, Leeton and Temora; and by the various research agronomists located throughout the State. (3)

In October 1980 the Division of Horticulture was amalgamated with the Division of Plant Industry to form the Division of Plant Industries. (4)

The Branch was restructured in January 1992, when the Division of Plant Industries was amalgamated with the Land Resource and Environmental Unit and the Biological and Chemical Research Institute which had state-wide responsibility for agricultural chemistry, entomology and plant pathology. (5)

Endnotes
1. Public Service Board Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1940, p.26, Parliamentary Papers 1940-41, Vol.3, p.46.
2. Public Service Board Annual Report for the year ended 30 June 1941, p.23, Parliamentary Papers 1941-42, Vol.1, p.427.
3. NRS 202, Correspondence files [Division of Plant Industries].
4. Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture for 1981 pp. 11, and 43 in NSW Parliamentary Papers 1981 – 1982 First Session Vol. 1 pp. 11, and 43.
5. NSW Agriculture Corporate Plan 1993-1996, p.12.