Clusters and collaboration: laying the foundations for agrifood precincts australia-wideCurrently, most Australian agrifood businesses are siloed. Because they operate individually rather than collectively, investing in new technology, tools and equipment; building packing sheds, silos and storage facilities; establishing infrastructure for off-grid renewable power; connecting to a reliable water supply, constructing access roads etc, can be cost-prohibitive, especially for smaller businesses. Frequently, Australian farms are...
Developing a smart robotic mobile platform to transform indoor pollination operationsHorticulture is one of Australia’s most labour intensive agricultural sectors. Labour accounts for a significant portion of crop production costs, particularly in tasks such as monitoring, harvesting and pollination. This is particularly true for indoor growers, who often must resort to manual pollination due to the low numbers of natural pollinators in Australia...
Analysing Australian food & wine to validate ‘premium’ product claimsAustralian fresh produce and value-added goods have an enviable reputation worldwide for being clean and green. Though our international output is comparatively small, Australian food and beverage products typically attract a premium thanks to such assurances. But today’s ‘conscious consumers’ demand proof that the food and beverage products they buy are safe, sustainable and of high...