Banana industry extension and R&D management (BA11027)

What was it all about?

Under this project, Dr Jay Anderson was supported in the role of R&D manager for the banana industry between 2012 and 2015. The position had the three main roles of providing project coordination, assisting with project development, and providing technical advice.

Projects that were progressed during the period of the project included National banana development and extension project (BA13004), Banana production and marketing information system (BA12016) and others. The project Capacity building in bananas (BA12703) was also developed, resulting in two study tours for growers — one on biosecurity to China and The Philippines, and one on biosecurity and fruit quality to Central America. During the tours, growers networked and took away learnings, which were shared with the industry through presentations at meetings and a written report.

In regards to technical advice, the R&D manager (a trained plant pathologist) provided information on pests and diseases to industry, reported on agrichemical issues, and provided technical and industry information to state-based biosecurity agencies for the review and development of regulations.

The manager also contributed to the development of response plans for emergency plant pest (EPP) response plans. A significant portion of the manager’s time was spent sourcing and providing technical advice on EPPs during the banana freckle incursions in the Northern Territory in 2013 and 2014, and the Panama Tropical Race 4 incursion in North Queensland in 2015.

Throughout the life of the project, the R&D manager provided information directly to growers, as well as through attending and presenting at grower meetings, presenting at roadshows facilitated by extension projects, and contributing written content to industry publications and for other communication channels. The R&D manager was also available for consultation in person and by phone.