IN A private and public funded multi-million-dollar redevelopment, the Gatton Research Facility is to be turned into a leading vegetable research centre.

Queensland Minister for Agricultural Industry Development, Mark Furner, announced the move to turn the facility into the ‘Gatton Smart Farm’, in conjunction with industry organisation, AUSVEG, late last week.

The aim of the $9 million injection is to accelerate the adoption of advanced technology into the State’s horticulture industry.

“The Smart Farm will be a centre of innovation where government, industry, commercial providers and researchers will partner to develop, test and adapt innovations to drive the development of high value products, export supply chains and automation,” Minister Furner said.

And he predicted the move would further enhance Queensland’s global reputation for high quality, safe horticulture products.

“New technology is critical to further expanding markets and solving the challenges of labour management, product quality, climate variability and supply chain wastage.

“The Palaszczuk Government has partnered with Hort Innovation with combined funding of more than $9 million to drive the adoption of new ag technology.

“Together with industry and commercial partners we’ll create an environment that fosters innovation and problem solving.”

New infrastructure at the Gatton Research Facility will include climate-controlled glasshouses, a retractable-roof protected cropping structure and cold rooms with the latest controlled-atmosphere technology.

“This new infrastructure will also boost existing R&D by equipping research staff with the latest tools and technology to manage pests such as Serpentine Leafminer, Fall Armyworm and vegetable diseases,” Minister Furner said.

“All of this is supported by the appointment of additional senior research specialists, a network of industry demonstration trials, and a comprehensive extension and communication program.”

It’s a move solidly backed by AUSVEG.

“It will accelerate the adoption of AgTech and automation, develop climate-resilient, cost-effective protected cropping systems, and harness new post-harvest technologies to develop both domestic and export-ready supply chain systems,” said AUSVEG Deputy Chair and Queensland vegetable grower Belinda Frentz.

“The work at Gatton will align with a number of flagship industry initiatives, including the revamped VegNET extension program.”

She added that it would also have a positive impact on the industry’s updated export strategy.

“This strategy recommends working with growers to optimise vegetable quality and to further develop export-ready products, and to consolidate existing export markets while investigating new opportunities for industry.

“Queensland vegetable growers are vital contributors to the national $4.8 billion vegetable industry that supplies high-quality fresh vegetables to families around Australia and across the world.

“It is important that government and industry continue to invest in projects such as this to build the skills and capacity of vegetable growing businesses to encourage adoption of new technologies and innovations.”

All research outcomes will be shared nationally through Hort Innovation’s regional extension team and VegNet.

Hort Innovation’s Jane Wightman reported that horticulture was the fastest-growing agricultural sector in Australia.

“[There’s been] a 27 percent hike in value over the past five years to $15.1 billion, and our modelling shows that figure could double by 2030,” Ms Wightman said.

“Technology adoption will be key to keeping pace with this rapid growth, however, that can prove a challenge.

“The Gatton Smart Farm will help growers to ‘de-risk’ ag-tech, by enabling them to select and experience the latest technologies firsthand and understand the costs and benefits of adoption.”