What was it all about?

This investment engaged independent consultants to evaluate the economic, social and environmental impact of Hort Frontiers investments completed in the last three years (2019/20 to 2021/22).

A random sample for each year was drawn from the population of Hort Frontiers projects completed during the last three years. Approximately eight projects, representing a minimum of 10 per cent of total investment expenditure in the project population (sample frame), were evaluated. The sampling ensured an even distribution of projects across the Hort Frontiers Funds and across the three years.

The eight Hort Frontiers projects evaluated produced a range of economic, environmental, and social impacts. Total aggregate funding from all sources for the eight Hort Frontiers projects totalled $87.64 million (present value terms) and produced estimated total aggregate expected benefits of $216.07 million (present value terms). This gave an aggregate net present value of $128.43 million and a weighted average benefit-to-cost ratio of approximately 2.47 to 1 after 30 years at a five per cent discount rate.

Access the project-specific evaluations:

• Market development program - almonds (AM15007)
• Developing a national systems approach for meeting biosecurity requirements to access key Asian markets (AM17001)
• Australian protected cropping RD&E strategy 2030 (AS19005)
• Which plant where, when and why database for growing urban green space (GC15002)
• SITplus: Raising Qfly sterile insect technique to world standard (HG14033)
• New technology for sanitising fresh produce and nuts (HN15000)
• Masterclass in Horticultural Business (LP15001)
• Securing pollination for productive agriculture (PH16004)