Diversification of crop production in Northern Australia is crucial in developing an economically sustainable and resilient agricultural sector.

The horticulture industry continues to face greater restrictions and scrutiny around access to and use of pesticides, especially near sensitive waterways and ecosystems.

Although primarily known for beef production, the Fitzroy region in Central Queensland boasts a growing and diverse horticulture industry.

Queensland horticultural growers will be able to create, innovate and accelerate their ideas thanks to a new collaboration announced today between Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) and the FNQ Food Incubator.

North Queensland horticultural growers are set to be better supported to achieve their business and financial goals following the announcement of a new partnership between Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) and the Rural Financial Counselling Service North Queensland (RFCSNQ) today.

Growcom’s SEQ Water Quality project supported by the Department of Environment and Science (DES) continues to deliver positive outcomes from the first round of ‘seed funding’ invested into South East Queensland pineapple farms.

Central Queensland horticultural growers with an interest in soil health are invited to attend the upcoming Dirt Work shed talks being run by Growcom in June.

Growcom’s SEQ Water Quality project is working with growers and the Department of Environment and Science (DES) to allocate the first round of ‘seed funding’ to pineapple farms located in South East Queensland.

North Queensland watermelon and vegetable growing enterprise, Black River Produce is a family-run business with patriarch Jon Caleo overseeing operations at the Black River property, north of Townsville while his son Anthony and wife Tomi oversee the Sellheim property located on the Burdekin River outside Charters Towers.

Tony and Irina Polsoni from Polsoni Pines, have been growing pineapples on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for three generations.

The Queensland horticulture industry is a significant user of a variety of plastic products within its production systems, in particular single use irrigation drip tape and plastic mulch for weed management and product quality, which face ongoing disposal issues.

Horticultural growers in Reef catchments are set to benefit from a renewed collaboration between Growcom and the Queensland Department of Environment and Science.

Rita and Jim Carey have recently completed a Farm Business Resilience Plan with the assistance of Growcom’s Resilience Manager Karen George. Rita and Jim grow lychees on 15 ha of land near Mutchilba, North Queensland.

Diversification of crop production across northern Australia is crucial in developing an economically sustainable and resilient agricultural sector. Whilst there are numerous tropical tree crops which can be cultivated in the region, plantings are limited due to the susceptibility of orchards to cyclones.

It was at the 2022 Hort Connections Conference in Brisbane that South Burnett avocado, garlic and rhubarb growers Michael and Beth Crane learnt about Growcom’s Farm Business Resilience Program for horticulture.

The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is one of the richest and most complex natural ecosystems on earth, and the world’s most extensive coral reef ecosystem. It is recognised for its vital ecosystem functions and supporting extensive aquatic wildlife. No other World Heritage property contains such biodiversity.

Attraction and retention of labour across horticulture is a major challenge and to guide today’s youth to take up jobs in the industry, the career-based workshop – the AgTech Elite School Holiday Program – was created.

If there is one certainty in life, it’s that change is inevitable. Having a plan is the best way to remain resilient when unchosen change finds us.

Attracting and retaining staff in the age of the great resignation – it’s a goal Growcom’s Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network (QAWN) staff strive toward by supporting employers and employees across the supply chain to develop new skillsets.

From the creation of the plough to the irrigation system, mankind has always strived toward innovative solutions to meet the ever-increasing pressure to feed the world.