Avocado industry development and extension (AV17005)

What was it all about?

From 2019 to 2023, this project improved the productivity, fruit quality, and profitability of Australian avocado orchards by promoting best practices. It aligned with the 2017-2022 Avocado Strategic Investment Plan, which set goals for a 15 per cent average improvement in productivity by 2021, without increased production costs and for over 90 per cent of avocados to meet or exceed consumer quality expectations in the same year.

To achieve these outcomes, the project focused on promoting the adoption of best practices among growers, nurseries, consultants, advisors, and resellers, as well as expanding national and international networks. Various events and resources were provided to the avocado industry, resulting in the participation of 2,450 industry stakeholders. Of those evaluated, 62 per cent (1,167) expressed intentions to make changes to their businesses as a result of their participation.

Collaboration with national avocado research partners, attendance at the 2019 Avocado World Congress in Colombia, organisation of the 2019 Californian avocado industry study tour, and hosting international guest speakers at 'Avo Grow' webinars and 'Advanced Management Workshops' strengthened and expanded national and international networks.

Numerous activities were conducted, including 19 regional forums (with five replaced by webinars during COVID-19 lockdowns), eight 'Avo Grow' webinars, and the preparation of presentations, recordings, and minutes for all events. Additionally, there were five 'Avo Skills' workshops, three advanced management workshops focusing on irrigation, canopy management, and soil health, and the development of detailed reports and resources from these workshops. Seven face-to-face wholesaler workshops and an online workshop targeted capital city markets during the COVID-19 lockdowns.

Other activities included monthly 'Avo Alerts' for each region and two varieties, three educational videos on topics like protecting avocado trees from Phytophthora root rot, and two educational posters addressing the management of spotting bugs and six spotted mites in avocados. The project also updated the Best Practice Resource and published the second edition of 'The Avocado Problem Solver Field Guide'.

The project actively participated in avocado congresses, including the 2019 World Avocado Congress in Colombia and the 2023 World Avocado Congress in New Zealand. It also organised and reported on the Californian avocado industry study tour.

To disseminate information, relevant scientific and technical articles were shared with the industry quarterly through 'Talking Avocados' magazine. Furthermore, a phenological crop calendar was developed for the Maluma variety in North Queensland. The project also contributed to the Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy 2023-2027, which outlined the plan for transitioning to 2027. Lastly, co-design development was undertaken for the new five-year 'Australian Avocado Industry Development and Extension' project.

ACT NOW

• Find details of all of the project’s events in the levy-funded Guacamole e-newsletter or visit the Avocados Australia events calendar
  
  
• Sign up for the project’s free Avo Alert emails by contacting Avocados Australia at admin2@avocado.org.au
  
  
• Login or request access to the Best Practice Resource and all its resources here
  
  

For more information, contact Avocados Australia Industry Development Manager Liz Singh at idm@avocado.org.au or on 0499 854 111 (Mon-Thurs), or Simon Newett at the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries at simon.newett@daf.qld.gov.au or on 07 5381 1326