Tragedy sprouts donation scheme

Almost a year after Albany couple Arjen and Yvonne Ryder lost their lives when Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was shot down over Ukraine, a grains donation scheme in honour of Mr Ryder's contribution to agriculture has been established.

Mr Ryder, 55, was a Department of Agriculture and Food WA senior technical officer and a prominent figure in the industry.

He had dedicated almost 32 years of service to sustainability and resource management projects across the State.

In September, the Ryder family, DAFWA and University of WA set up the Arjen Ryder Memorial Scholarship fund to recognise his expertise in soil biology and reducing dry land salinity.

Since then, sufficient donations have flowed in to provide three students with a $5000 bursary.

This week, DAFWA announced a new grains donation scheme with Co-operative Bulk Handling which is hoped will boost the scholarship fund this harvest.

DAFWA Albany economist Lucy Anderton, who knew Mr Ryder for about 10 years, said at the couple's memorial service many farmers who had worked closely with him had expressed a desire to contribute to a lasting legacy.

"The idea is to link students to grower groups Arjen had worked with," she said.

DAFWA Albany senior development officer Justin Hardy said Mr Ryder was a passionate steward of the landscape for future generations and would be "overwhelmed" by the new fundraising initiative.

Mr Ryder's sister Rachel Rodriguez said she was really pleased about the grains donation scheme.

"It is great to see people coming together to support the scholarship and future of agriculture in WA," she said.

Drew Ryder, 28, said his father was passionate about working with farmers on issues of sustainable land use and would be humbled students would be able to conduct research in his name.

"I am sure he would be excited about it," he said. "He loved sharing his knowledge."