The University of Tasmania has announced a new training centre to drive growth and innovation within Australia’s fresh fruit and vegetable industry.
The Australia Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Innovative Horticultural Products will assist and mentor researchers in developing new products with improved quality and shelf-life.
The Centre has partnered with leading Australian retailer Woolworths, which has opened links to leading Australian horticulture companies including Hansen Orchards, Perfection Fresh Costa, Zerella Fresh and the Australian Mango Industry Association.
Houston’s Farms, CSIRO and the Defence Science & Technology Organisation have also been partnered with, while research collaborators include the Queensland government and the Queensland Alliance for Agriculture & food Innovation.
So far the Centre has taken on ten PhD students and three post-doctoral students, with the training including course-work and industry placements.
The ARC has funded more than A$2m over three years for the new Centre, with A$1.1m in industry contributions.
