National fall armyworm innovation system for the Australian vegetable industry (VG22006)

What's it all about?

This investment delivers a nationally coordinated program to reduce fall armyworms' impact on the vegetable industry by arming growers with tools and knowledge.

The program will provide educational opportunities for vegetable growers to learn more about the pest and its management, including on-farm demonstrations, field days and workshops.

The program brings research and experience insights into fall armyworm management from across the globe into on-farm demonstration sites within Australian vegetable-growing regions. 

It will also provide a mechanism for industry to identify and remedy gaps in knowledge, skills, technology or practices that need to be addressed through further research.

Fall armyworm was first detected in Australia in the Torres Strait in January 2020 and has since spread to every State and Territory except South Australia. The pest is known to feed on more than 350 different plant species, including fruits and vegetables, and can travel up to 400km a night – making it challenging to curb its geographical spread.