Exploring AI applications for the vegetable industry (VG24008)
What was it all about?
This project identified where artificial intelligence (AI) can deliver practical value for Australian vegetable growers and set a clear pathway for industry adoption. The research assessed current readiness, prioritised high‑impact applications, and produced an evidence‑based roadmap to guide future investment. The work showed that while AI use is still limited on farm, grower interest and confidence increase quickly once practical tools are demonstrated.
The project team engaged more than 100 growers, advisers and supply‑chain partners through regional workshops in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland, two industry briefings, and a national online webinar. It reviewed and assessed 27 AI technologies relevant to production, post‑harvest and business management and identified five high-impact opportunities with the strongest potential for near-term industry value:
- AI disease detection systems
- Generative AI agronomy advisors
- Autonomous and precision weeding systems
- Vision-based quality assurance and grading
- AI for seed and variety selection
These opportunities balance proven, emerging, and future applications, offering both immediate and strategic value to the industry.
Key outputs included an AI feasibility and readiness assessment and a three‑stage industry roadmap focused on building confidence, testing priority tools, and preparing for longer‑term integration.
These insights will support more targeted and confident AI adoption across the vegetable industry. Over time, this work is expected to help growers reduce administrative burden, improve labour and resource efficiency, and make better‑informed decisions, while guiding levy investment toward tools that deliver practical, on‑farm value.
ACT NOW
Read the final report, which includes the feasibility and readiness assessment and the three-stage industry roadmap.
Read a summary of the project which was presented to the Vegetable SIAP in October 2025.
This project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Vegetable Fund