A new national Faba Bean Breeding Program will provide Australian growers with improved, higher-yielding varieties of faba beans featuring better disease resistance, quality traits, and adaptation across growing regions.
The 2.5-year, $9.5 million program is a co-investment of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC) , InterGrain , and Adelaide University , and will be led by InterGrain. The initiative marks a significant step forward for the Australian faba bean industry, which is already the world’s largest exporter of the crop.
Why Faba Beans Matter to Australia
Australia supplies around one-third of global faba bean trade, with key markets including:
| Region | Key Markets |
|---|---|
| Middle East | Egypt, Saudi Arabia, UAE |
| North Africa | Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia |
| Southeast Asia | Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia |
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual export value | Over $300 million |
| Global trade share | ~33% (world’s largest exporter) |
| Production expansion | Significant growth over past decade |
Faba beans are an increasingly important crop for Australian growers, offering a valuable rotation option alongside cereals through:
- Nitrogen fixation – Reduces need for synthetic fertilizers
- Improved soil health – Enhances soil structure and biology
- Weed and disease break – Disrupts cereal pest and disease cycles
- Flexibility in challenging seasons – Cool-season legume performs well under variable conditions
- Premium market access – Strong export demand and growing domestic food/feed sectors
The New Program – Goals and Structure
The national Faba Bean Breeding Program builds on more than a decade of previous GRDC investment in faba bean breeding through Pulse Breeding Australia, the University of Sydney, and Adelaide University (since 2011).
| Program Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Duration | 2.5 years |
| Total value | $9.5 million |
| Lead partner | InterGrain |
| Co-investors | GRDC, InterGrain, Adelaide University |
| Focus | Yield, disease resistance, adaptation, quality traits |
Two Key Components
| Component | Focus |
|---|---|
| Breeding program & IP | Development of new varieties and associated intellectual property |
| Variety release & commercialization | Getting new varieties to growers |
Camilla Hill, GRDC Manager of Genetic Technologies, said the program marked a significant step forward:
“The new national Faba Bean Breeding Program brings together world-class expertise and a refreshed delivery model to accelerate the development of faba bean varieties that will meet grower needs into the future.”
She added: “Its focus is on improving yield, disease resistance, adaptation and quality traits, so growers have access to faba bean varieties that perform reliably across existing production regions and as the crop continues to expand into new areas.”
Targeting Regional and Market Requirements
Dr. Hill emphasized that the renewed approach allows researchers to target specific regional and market requirements more effectively, while ensuring breeding outcomes translate quickly into on-farm benefits.
Target Growing Regions
| State/Region | Focus |
|---|---|
| Victoria | Established production area |
| South Australia | Key growing region |
| Northern New South Wales | Expansion area |
| Southern Queensland | Emerging production |
| Western Australia | Growing interest in expansion |
“One aspect of the project will focus on delivery of the breeding program and associated intellectual property, while the second aspect will address variety release and commercialization.”
Long-Term Ambitions
Dr. Hill outlined the program’s long-term targets:
- Lifting production – Higher yields per hectare
- Supporting export growth – Meeting international demand
- Meeting rising domestic demand – Plant-based protein sector growth
“We see strong opportunities for faba beans to play an even greater role in Australian crop rotations, delivering both financial and soil health benefits while supporting diversification at a whole-of-farm level.”
Industry and Research Partners Speak
InterGrain CEO – Tresslyn Walmsley
“This renewed national breeding effort is about giving growers more choice and confidence – delivering higher yielding faba bean varieties with stronger disease resistance and quality traits.”
Walmsley noted InterGrain’s strengths: “With InterGrain’s national breeding platform and deep connections across Australia’s growing regions, we’re well placed to ensure these improvements are developed, tested and delivered where growers need them most.”
Adelaide University – Professor Jason Able
Dean of the School of Agriculture, Food and Wine, Professor Able, highlighted the significance of the partnership:
“This is an exciting era for new and existing Australian faba bean growers. With the rich history and continued legacy of plant breeding education, research and variety development at Adelaide University’s Waite campus, combined with InterGrain’s proven variety success across several commodities, the faba bean varieties of tomorrow developed through this partnership will value-add significantly across the industry.”
He noted that the industry is worth more than $300 million in Australian exports annually , and the partnership will further contribute to grower profitability.
Building on a Decade of Investment
The new program does not start from scratch. It builds on a solid history of GRDC investment in faba beans dating back to 2011.
| Period | Investment/Program |
|---|---|
| 2011-2025 | Pulse Breeding Australia, University of Sydney, Adelaide University |
| 2026-2028 | New national program (InterGrain-led) |
Previous investments have underpinned steady improvements in variety performance and market suitability. The renewed approach reflects confidence in the crop’s long-term role within Australian farming systems.
Opportunities for Growers
For Current Faba Bean Growers
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Higher yields | Improved varieties with greater yield potential |
| Better disease resistance | Reduced crop loss and input costs |
| Improved quality traits | Access to premium markets |
For Growers New to Faba Beans
| Benefit | Explanation |
|---|---|
| New expansion areas | Varieties adapted to northern NSW, southern Queensland, WA |
| Rotation benefits | Nitrogen fixation improves soil for subsequent cereals |
| Risk diversification | Cool-season legume provides flexibility in challenging seasons |
As Professor Able noted: “This partnership will provide new opportunities for those growers yet to evaluate faba as part of their rotation.”
The Bigger Picture – Plant Protein and Export Demand
Faba beans are positioned at the intersection of several major agricultural trends:
Global Demand Drivers
| Driver | Impact on Faba Beans |
|---|---|
| Plant-based protein growth | Faba beans are high in protein (26-30%) |
| Supply-chain resilience | Countries seeking diverse protein sources |
| Nitrogen fertilizer prices | High prices make nitrogen-fixing crops more valuable |
| Soil health focus | Farmers seeking regenerative practices |
Export Market Dynamics
Australia’s position as the world’s largest faba bean exporter gives it significant market influence. Key markets in the Middle East, North Africa, and Southeast Asia have shown consistent demand growth.
A Supercharged Future for Faba Beans
The renewed national Faba Bean Breeding Program represents a significant vote of confidence in the crop’s future. With $9.5 million in funding, a 2.5-year timeline, and a partnership between GRDC, InterGrain, and Adelaide University, the program aims to deliver:
- Higher-yielding varieties
- Better disease resistance
- Improved quality traits
- Adaptation to expanded growing regions
For Australian growers, this means more choice, more confidence, and more profit potential from a crop that already generates over $300 million in annual exports.
As Dr. Hill put it: “We see strong opportunities for faba beans to play an even greater role in Australian crop rotations.”
With the world’s largest export position already secured, Australia is now investing to supercharge the crop’s genetic potential. The next few years will determine whether faba beans can move from a valuable rotation crop to a cornerstone of Australian pulse agriculture.
