The Victorian government has released a new plan for the management of fruit fly and opened a new horticultural grants programme, in a bid to increase fresh produce production within the Australian state.
Visiting the Victorian Horticulture Centre of Excellence in Tatura on Friday (6 November), the state’s minister for agriculture, Jaala Pulford, launched the A$1m (US$715,000) Horticulture Innovation Fund, which will provide grants of up to A$50,000 (US$35,746) to help growers adopt new technologies to boost their operations.
The grants also aim to support projects that will boost horticultural exports into new markets and broaden the diversity of products Victoria sells overseas.
“Through our new Horticulture Innovation Fund we’re providing targeted support to this important sector, so we can help boost exports and drive long-term economic growth,” Pulford explained.
Pulford also launched the five-year Fruit Fly Action Plan, which will see industry, community and government working together to coordinate pest management across the state.
The Victorian government is providing A$1.3m (US$929,000) toward the delivery of the action plan, which includes the appointment of a state-wide coordinator. An advisory committee will also be set-up to oversee the delivery of the plan, while regional governance groups in key horticulture areas will develop and implement action plans inline with the state-wide plan.
“Fruit fly is everyone’s responsibility – and with fruit flies costing Australia around A$300m (US$214m) a year it’s crucial that we work together to manage and reduce the impact of this costly pest,” Pulford said. “Our skilled and dedicated horticulture workforce has a bright future – that’s why we’re investing in the protection and development of this sector so our growers stay ahead of the game.”
