Australian banana growers nationwide are set to benefit from a new project prioritising practical, on‑farm support to lift productivity, profitability and sustainability.

Funded by Hort Innovation and delivered by the Queensland Department of Primary Industries (QDPI), the project will deliver an industry‑led extension program across all growing regions, helping growers adopt proven practices.

Anthony Kachenko, General Manager of Sustainability and Production R&D at Hort Innovation,  expressed how the program provides practical support as the industry navigates increasing production, market and sustainability challenges.

“This project is about working alongside growers to help them apply tested research and development findings in ways that make sense for their individual farms,” said Mr Kachenko. 

“By providing direct support, local demonstrations and clear information, this program will help growers make confident changes to improve performance and profitability on farm.” 

The extension program will include on‑farm innovation trials designed to test how practices perform under commercial conditions. Trial topics will be guided by industry to ensure they address priority issues growers are confronted with.

Stephen Lowe, banana grower and Deputy Chair of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council, said extension plays a critical role in helping growers turn information into action on farm.

“Extension is a critical part of modern farming. While there’s a wealth of information available on pest, disease and nutrition, there’s no substitute for face-to-face support from experienced extension officers,” said Mr Lowe. 

Outcomes from extension activities and demonstration trials will be shared widely through industry publications, events and online platforms, such as Better Bananas. This approach ensures learnings are accessible to the broader banana industry and support the wider adoption of best management practices.  

If you would like to see a previous iteration of the program, please refer to: National banana development and extension program (BA19004). 

This project (BA25001) is funded by Hort Innovation, using the banana research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.