What was it all about?

During 2020/21, Hort Innovation engaged independent consultants to evaluate the impact of our R&D investments. This included looking across a random sample of Hort Innovation R&D projects completed in the 2019/20 financial year, plus a specific look at the impact of work within the Hort Innovation Berry, Mango, Nursery and Turf Funds, with a focus on projects completed within the five years to 30 June 2020, aligned to the 2017-2021 industry Strategic Investment Plans.

The assessments revealed a range of economic, social and environmental impacts being generated for growers, supply chain participants and the community at large. The results also highlighted the value of these benefits in monetary terms.

Results and information on the whole-of-R&D impact assessment, facilitated through the project Ex-post impact assessment (MT18011), can be found here.

Meanwhile, the industry-specific information from the project Ex-post impact assessment – industry specific (MT20008) can be found below. MT20008 was a one-year project, with Hort Innovation committing to future iterations each year to progress impact assessments through the various industry funds.

Results from the Hort Innovation Berry Funds impact assessment

Download this short fact sheet for growers describing how the Berry Funds assessments were made and what they found. The full impact assessment report for the Berry Funds can be found here.

In summary, a random sample of four projects was assessed, with an aggregated weighted average BCR of 3.31 to 1. These projects are expected to deliver some $14.31 million in additional value to the industry and community over the next 30 years.

To explore the full details of the impact assessments for each of the four Berry Fund projects assessed, you can download the full impact assessment reports below:

• Impact assessment report: Building resistance to drupelet disorder in rubus (RB14003)
• Impact assessment report: Assisting the ongoing development of the Queensland strawberry industry (BS12015)
• Impact assessment report: Developing virus molecular diagnostics for post entry quarantine and certification of strawberry runners (BS12009)
• Impact assessment report: National strawberry varietal improvement program – southern node (BS11013)

Results from the Hort Innovation Mango Fund impact assessment

Download this short fact sheet for growers describing how the Mango Fund assessments were made and what they found. The full impact assessment report for the Mango Fund can be found here.

In summary, a random sample of three projects was assessed, with an aggregated weighted average BCR of 2.38 to 1. These projects are expected to deliver some $15.39 million in additional value to the industry and community over the next 30 years.

To explore the full details of the impact assessments for each of the three Mango Fund projects assessed, you can download the full impact assessment reports below:

• Impact assessment report: Manipulating mango flowering to extend harvest window (MG12012)
• Impact assessment report: New fruit fly systems for mangoes and market access (MG12017)
• Impact assessment report: Mango industry communication program 2016-2017 (MG15006)

Results from the Hort Innovation Nursery Fund impact assessment

Download this short fact sheet for growers describing how the Nursery Fund assessments were made and what they found. The full impact assessment report for the Nursery Fund can be found here.

In summary, a random sample of three projects was assessed along with three other Nursery Fund projects which had been evaluated as part of a cross section impact assessment program (MT18011). These projects were found to have an aggregated weighted average BCR of 5.83 to 1. These projects are expected to deliver some $10.65 million in additional value to the industry and community over the next 30 years.

To explore the full details of the impact assessments for each of the six Nursery Fund projects assessed, you can download the full impact assessment reports below:

• Impact assessment report: Nursery and garden industry communications 2013-2015 (NY12011)
• Impact assessment report: Evaluation of nursery tree stock balance parameters (NY15001)
• Impact assessment report: Communications program for the Australian nursery industry 2015-18 (NY15006)
• Impact assessment report: Industry statistics for nursery industry (NY16004)
• Impact assessment report: Where should all the trees go? Investigating the impact of tree canopy cover on socio-economic status and wellbeing in LGAs (NY16005)
• Impact assessment report: Budget tool to calculate the cost to successfully establish trees in the urban landscape (NY18003)

Results from the Hort Innovation Turf Fund impact assessment

Download this short fact sheet for growers describing how the Turf Fund assessments were made and what they found. The full impact assessment report for the Turf Fund can be found here.

In summary, a random sample of three projects was assessed, with an aggregated weighted average BCR of 2.77 to 1. These projects are expected to deliver some $1.16 million in additional value to the industry and community over the next 30 years.

To explore the full details of the impact assessments for each of the three Turf Fund projects assessed, you can download the full impact assessment reports below:

• Impact assessment report: Turf industry statistics and research 2016/17 (TU16001)
• Impact assessment report: Developing a national standard for turf as an erosion control measure (TU13034)
• Impact assessment report: Industry development services for the Queensland turf industry (TU13029)