The Hort Innovation Frontiers program is dedicated to seizing big opportunities and developing innovative solutions to the major challenges facing Australia’s horticulture industry.
Teaming up with local and global innovators, Frontiers attracts private, commercial and Government co-investment to transform Australian horticulture and accelerate outcomes into the hands of growers.
With a $500 million investment over the next decade, Frontiers is set to drive long-term transformation in Australian horticulture.
All innovations being delivered through Frontiers must consider at least one of the following themes:
- Healthy living: Less than 10 per cent of Australians eat the recommend serve of fruit and vegetables each day. This theme has a focus on giving consumers what they want and increasing consumption. Examples of projects include tapping into the nutritional benefits of often cast aside produce offcuts, nutrient dense products and enhanced produce quality and shelf life. With a growing body of evidence demonstrating that greenspaces are vital for environmental, social and economic well-being, this theme also seeks investments looking to enhance and increase access to greenspaces in Australia.
- Adaptation and resilience: With increasing severe weather events and a desire from Australian growers to look after their land for generations to come, sustainability is at the fore. Examples of innovations could include new methods to reduce farm inputs such as water, methods to monitor and report on carbon, products to minimise farm waste and viable options to reduce chemical use.
- Market growth: As a whole, the Australian horticulture industry has experienced a 46 per cent increase in value over the past five years. Rising production in growth industries is also leading to a need to continue to expand markets. Examples of innovations this fund could produce include efficiencies in the pest and disease research required to support market access applications or the design of products that appeal to specific target markets.
- Disruptive technologies: New, more efficient ways of growing are critical to address labour challenges and drive sustainable growth for industry across the supply chain. Examples of outputs include the use of artificial intelligence to predict what to do and when to do it, new automation options, or the use of satellite technology to guide decision-making.
- Capability building: For every 100 jobs in horticulture, 21 more jobs are created in sectors such as retail and transportation. Ensuring the sustainability of the workforce and attracting fresh talent to support the industry's health is critical. Examples of investments may include opportunities to upskill existing industry participants and expand local career opportunities, particularly in the science and technology arenas.
Dynamic investment pathways
Frontiers offers four strategic investment pathways, each designed to propel innovation and foster collaboration across the industry:
- Innovation Partnerships: This ongoing stream invites stakeholders from across the sector to collaborate on advancing industry innovation. Through proven procurement approaches, it fosters strategic partnerships that drive real, scalable change.
- Hort Innovation Venture Fund: This fund channels resources into high-growth early-stage startups, enabling the development and market readiness of innovative products and services within the horticulture sector.
- Australian-Grown Innovation: Launching in 2025, this pathway is dedicated to supporting growers and the supply chain by nurturing grassroots ideas. A competitive Expression of Interest process will help innovators take their concepts from vision to reality.
- Incubate and Accelerate: Set to launch in 2025, this program is a launchpad for startup enterprises in horticulture. By providing rigorous selection and support, it will help entrepreneurs, researchers, and students scale their innovative ideas and succeed in a competitive market.
Together, these pathways create a collaborative and dynamic ecosystem where ideas can thrive and grow, ultimately delivering new solutions that benefit growers across Australia. Through Frontiers, Hort Innovation is helping to shape the future of horticulture and ensuring its continued success in an increasingly complex and competitive world.
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