‘Grow Your Field’ seed funding recipients announced
Streamlining on-farm compliance, an innovative AgTech solution for Australia’s pineapple industry, and drone technology solutions in organic bananas are just some of the amazing projects being funded under the horticulture industry’s ‘Grow Your Field’ seed funding opportunity.
Administered by the Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG), this competitive funding round sought to find projects aligned with the industry’s Future Fields strategy, which sets out the vision for Queensland’s fresh produce sector over the next 10 years.
In the first stage of Future Fields, the sector has prioritised the strategic work areas of coordinated compliance, to be bio-strong, innovation to access markets, and working smarter together.
QFVG Head of Engagement & Advocacy Angela Seng-Williams said that from Innisfail to the Granite Belt, and across diverse areas like AgTech, First Nations Foods, and compliance, it’s clear there are a lot of great ideas growing in Queensland horticulture.
“The quality and range of applications received demonstrates that growers, their agribusinesses, and social enterprise across the state are doing some brilliant work that will better our sector and have meaningful impact,” Ms Seng-Williams said.
“We can’t wait to see these projects come to life over the next 12 months and we will be following their progress with optimism and anticipation.”
The ‘Grow Your Field’ seed funding recipients are:
Jah Farming Pty Ltd (Future Proofing Organic Farming in Tropical North QLD): $19,000 to support investment in drone technology for precision protectant spraying and placement of beneficials.
Wide Bay Pineapples (Pick & Leave Pineapple Technology): $19,000 to further develop an AgTech solution to automate pineapple picking based on sugar level in a controlled traffic system.
FNQ Food Incubator (First Nations Foods): $19,000 to investigate, document, and publish a list of FNQ native food ingredients, suppliers, buyers, and farming best practices.
Jenn McKee & Taylor Family Produce (Coordinated Compliance for Queensland Growers): $13,000 for review of compliance landscape and practical recommendations for streamlining requirements to assist hort growers in Queensland.
Granite Belt Growers Association (Granite Gate to the World): $19,000 to investigate and document value-adding opportunities and markets for surplus produce from the Granite Belt region.
These projects demonstrated clear links to one or more of the Future Fields priority areas, and will lead to tangible, practical outcomes that benefit their agribusinesses and the sector more broadly.
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) administers this Grow Your Field Seed Funding through support from the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.
