NEWS
Future-proofing industry
Table grape growers Australia-wide will soon have access to a national extension service.
greater information-sharing across the
Alison said the role of an IDO would
industry.
provide an essential representation
ATGA CEO Jeff Scott said the project
for Australian table grape growers on
The Australian Table Grape Association
announcement was “exciting news” for
practical issues.
the industry, and looked forward to
“The Australian table grape industry
the project kicking off formally when,
has secured the first major Australia-
has been incredibly successful in
it is anticipated, events could be held
wide extension project for the industry,
developing export markets, ensuring
in-person, in early 2021.
quality of fruit and introducing and
“These sessions will be very similar to
adopting new varieties,” Alison said.
the very successful InnoGrape program
“With that increasing focus on export
which will assist with the adoption of industry best practice, innovation for production and post-harvest capabilities for table grape growers in all major growing regions.
the ATGA conducted a few years ago,” Jeff said. “It is hoped to provide industry with best practice and innovation
The three-year project, Extension of
for production and post-harvest
technologies and best management
capabilities for all table grape growers.
practice to the Australian table grape
In turn this will drive domestic and
industry, was funded by Hort Innovation
export market development and access
using the table grape research and
through increased industry knowledge
development levy and funds from the
and awareness.
Australian government.
markets comes an ever-increasing need for all growers to have access to information and support. The CEO represents industry at a national and international level, but the industry also needs people on the ground, working with and representing growers on more practical issues, for example, biosecurity, MRLs, harvest labour or
Alison MacGregor, who provides
other issues where the whole industry
It will involve hiring two new ATGA staff
consultancy services to viticulture
needs to share in a solution.
members – an industry development
and also works part-time for Citrus
manager (IDM) and an industry
Australia, delivered a number of
development officer (IDO) – conducting
the well-received InnoGrape field
workshops, field days and forums, and
day sessions (pictured overleaf) in
Alison said she didn’t see the role of
producing content to help develop
2015/2016.
an IDO “overlapping” with the work of
8 VINE MAGAZINE
“Those are the issues that should be supported by an IDO.”
