Premier and science minister Colin Barnett announced the launch of the first round of the Premier's Agriculture and Aquaculture Entrepreneurship Program on Friday.
Mr Barnett said successful applicants would receive a $30,0000 scholarship over four years for an innovative concept or idea within the fields of agriculture or aquaculture that had the potential to broaden the economy and to modernise the agrifood sector.
“The program will see successful applicants learning from international leaders in agriculture and aquaculture,” he said.
Regional development minister Terry Redman said the program was another opportunity to broaden the State's economy, made possible by the Royalties for Regions program's $350 million Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative.
“This investment will support entrepreneurship and innovation in regional Western Australia and in our agriculture sector, directly benefitting regional communities both now and into the future,” he said.
“This program is another example of the state government's unprecedented investment in the agricultural sector under the $350 million Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative, and will create new and expanded industry sectors.”
Applications for round one of the entrepreneurship program close 12pm on August 5, 2016.
For more information, go to dpc.wa.gov.au.