Supporting the adoption of best management practices for pistachio growers through on-farm demonstrations and regional discussion groups (PS20000)

This project supported the pistachio industry to develop and maintain effective information extension and technology transfer. 

Building upon the success of previous project (PS17002) that concluded in 2021, this project further enhanced knowledge transfer across the pistachio industry, with the goal of increasing plantings, improving yields of mature orchards, and enhancing nut quality across the industry.  

Challenge 

While the previous project (PS17002) successfully shared knowledge with pistachio growers who attended field days and Pistachio Information Transfer (PIT) groups, not all growers in the industry received this information.  

Response 

Over three years, this project extended important information to a wider range of growers, including those with mature orchards, new plantings, and potential new entrants to the industry. The project built on the positive feedback from growers who found value in PIT groups, technical sheets, and seasonal notes. 

Key activities included:  

• Three Pistachio Information Transfer (PIT) Groups across the pistachio-growing regions of Riverland SA, Sunraysia Victoria, and Tooleybuc/Kyalite NSW, engaging a total of 408 participants.
• Two Spring Symposia with a total of 81 attendees, featuring 47 presentations by 20 Australian industry researchers and specialists.
• Four seasonal notes covering relevant orchard management issues.
• Four technical bulletins/factsheets distributed to growers.
• Two online Grower Chat Rooms facilitating ongoing communication and knowledge sharing.
• One Nutgrower Magazine article and occasional email alerts on various industry matters. 

These activities covered topics such as orchard management, industry yield and quality data, domestic and international research updates, benchmarking, and new technologies. The project provided valuable information directly to growers, helping them to adopt best practices to improve yields, quality, and profitability.  

Benefit