What’s was it all about? 

Beginning in late 2015 and ending in early 2018, this project was established to support the adoption of innovation and technology in the Australian pineapple industry to help growers remain resilient, viable and profitable. It supported the role of an industry development officer (IDO) to help build knowledge of R&D in the industry, facilitate opportunities for information exchange and learning among growers and with other stakeholders, and promote capacity building in the industry.

Activities of the IDO included…

• Delivery of industry newsletter The Pineapple Press, with issues emailed to growers
• Facilitation of annual Pineapple Field Days
• Facilitation of grower study groups in Australia’s different growing regions, and an annual Pineapple Study Group Tour
• Involvement in relevant industry events and meetings as needed
• Facilitation of regular meetings between major packhouses, grower representatives, and Hort Innovation representatives to discuss supply, quality and marketing activity to ensure alignment with crop supply peaks.

As the industry was aware, the project’s original IDO, Georgie Townsend, left the role during the course of the project in 2017, with the position temporarily filled by Steve Tiley. After discussions and consensus with the pineapple Strategic Investment Advisory Panel, the project team, and the Australian Pineapple Leadership Group, Hort Innovation concluded this investment early with a view to establishing new work to continue investment in prioritised areas of R&D.