Yanco Agricultural Institute, NSW DPI’s Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Rice and Horticulture, is located between Leeton and Narrandera in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. The National Vegetable Industry Centre and the Murrumbidgee Rural Studies Centre are both located at the Institute.

The Institute covers an area of 813 hectares of mixed irrigation and dryland farming country, and is primarily used for research on the efficient and sustainable production of rice, wheat, lucerne, citrus, vegetables, and various organic crops. Research is concentrated on crops grown under irrigation. Rice physiology and entomology trials are conducted at the Institute, however the rice breeding program is concentrated at Leeton Field Station, a separate 242 hectare irrigation property located 7 km west of the Institute.

Ninety-five people are employed at the Institute, covering a range of functions including research, extension, education, regulation, forest management, farm operations and administration.