Rohan Rainbow

Executive Director

Rohan Rainbow, has over 30 years of experience in industry leadership in the fields of agronomy, agricultural engineering, robotics and automation, precision agriculture, digital agriculture and big data, farming systems development, crop protection technology, breeding for biotic traits and biosecurity preparedness.  Dr Rainbow has extensive experience in leadership, strategic planning, management and delivery of new agricultural technologies resulting in industry practice change.  Dr Rainbow has established relationships at senior levels of government, machinery, technology and chemical manufacturers, research and grower organisations, Dr Rainbow has a PhD in soil physics and mechanics and has significant experience in the delivery of:

• Reforms to national programs

• Technology development

• Agricultural industry practice change;

• Technology adoption

​

Dr Rainbow has significant experience in the delivery of reforms to APVMA pesticide minor use, emergency use and Category 25 industry initiated registration programs, was instrumental in the establishment of the cross industry National Working Party on Pesticide Applications and has recently facilitated the establishment of a cross industry AgVet Collaborative Forum. Dr Rainbow has also supported CropLife Australia in delivery of chemical stewardship programs.

Dr Rainbow has overseen the development and implementation of a number of industry  and commercial investment strategies in plant breeding, crop protection, biosecurity, food and feed safety, farming systems, precision agriculture, robotics and automation and data.  Dr Rainbow has delivered significant support to industry during his role at the GRDC including Theme leader - Protecting Your Crop.  Today Dr Rainbow is a consulting adviser to Grain Producers Australia, including leading the recent development of a industry Code of Practice for Agricultural Field Machine Autonomy. Dr Rainbow has overseen the delivery of a number of reviews including the Australian Pastures Genebank, National Pathology, Herbicide Resistance and Invertebrate Pest Initiatives and Herbicide Tolerance Traits for the OGTR. Dr Rainbow also led the national cross industry Accelerating Precision to Decision Agriculture Digital Agriculture program on behalf of all 15 agricultural research and development corporations.