New Australian project for protected cropping 

New Australian project for protected cropping

The Australian government has launched a new project to support the country’s growers wishing to employ protected cropping systems to better cope with the extreme heat and insects. The Minister for Industry, Science and Technology, Karen Andrews, and Queensland senator, Susan McDonald announced the initiative which is supported by the Cooperative Research Centre for Northern Australia (CRCNA). The project is estimated to cost around US$300,000 over two years.

Andrews said, “With protected cropping being the fastest growing food producing sector in Australia, with a farm-gate value of around AU$1.8bn each year, it makes good sense to look at how we expand use in northern Australia.”

Australia’s horticulture exports rose 3% in 2019 and are worth US$7.9bn.

TAGS: Australia, crop protection