Completed project
Development of the national onion industry extension strategy (VN20000)
Publication date: September 14, 2021
Delivery Partner: Rural Consulting Group
This short investment examined the Australian onion industry’s extension needs and opportunities to develop a delivery strategy. Through industry consultation, the research team identified key development needs in the major onion growing regions of Australia, proposing a pathway to enhance industry capability.
With only 225 growers spread across multiple growing regions, the opportunity for onion-specific on-the-ground extension for each issue is limited. It was identified that effective prioritisation and targeting is required for maximum impact.
The onions industry is a mature one, with experienced growers who draw heavily on agronomists for advice. The team found that, by necessity, delivery of extension services needs to take a systems approach and include key delivery partners such as Onions Australia network, agronomists, research partners, agribusiness, and cross-industry extension staff and programs.
The team recommended an approach involving multidisciplinary action groups to focus on addressing Tier 1 and Tier 2 issues, plus an industry role to facilitate their function, oversee action strategies and evaluate progress.
Resourcing and funding arrangements and the use of a national governance system were also recommended.
This project was a strategic levy investment in the Hort Innovation Onion Fund
© 2026 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited.
Related industries
