Sweetpotato Industry Communications and Extension Program (PW24001)

Summary: 

The Sweetpotato Industry Communications and Extension Program will build on the Australian Sweetpotato Growers Association’s successful three-year initiative to strengthen industry knowledge transfer and engagement. As the sweetpotato industry evolves, timely and coordinated communication is essential to support growers in adopting best practice and responding to production, market, and supply chain challenges. 

The project aims to improve the consistency and reach of communication to sweetpotato growers and service providers, facilitate practice change through targeted extension, and strengthen industry readiness to adopt outcomes from research and development (R&D) programs. Intended outcomes include increased awareness and uptake of best practice production techniques, improved grower access to relevant and timely information, and greater alignment between growers, researchers, and service providers. These outcomes will contribute to a more resilient, informed, and innovative sweetpotato industry. 

Key activities will include bi-monthly e-newsletters, practical factsheets, grower case studies, video content, a refreshed ASPG website, and direct grower visits. The program will also work closely with regional representative body Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, ensuring coordination across the primary sweetpotato-growing region. Through these efforts, the project provides a cost-effective, grower-led solution to drive knowledge uptake, practical change, and long-term industry benefit