A new research initiative to help safeguard Australia’s banana industry from pest and disease threats is underway. Funded by Hort Innovation, the project will consider options to expand surveillance and disease control, deepen grower education, and build biosecurity resilience across key growing regions.

The three-year project, Enhancing pest surveillance, grower engagement and banana biosecurity resilience (BA24003), is being delivered by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council and builds on the success of a previous project which supported growers in containing Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV), improving early detection of exotic threats, and strengthening regional biosecurity networks. 

Brett Fifield, CEO at Hort Innovation, said: “Biosecurity is critical to the long-term sustainability of the banana industry. This project is about equipping growers with the tools, knowledge and systems they need to detect and respond to pest and disease threats early, before they escalate. It’s a proactive investment in protecting livelihoods and securing the future of one of Australia’s most valuable horticultural sectors.”

“It will focus on improving disease management, diversifying surveillance strategies, and strengthening industry preparedness for future biosecurity challenges.”

Led by Dr Rosie Godwin, R&D Manager at the Australian Banana Growers’ Council, the project will target banana growers and stakeholders across Queensland and northern New South Wales, regions that represent over 96% of national production. 

Dr Godwin said: “Importantly, this new project focusses on strengthening collaboration between Industry, the community, government biosecurity regulators and scientific experts to improve outcomes and support our shared biosecurity obligations. So far, we are very pleased with the results.”

It will deliver practical tools such as multi-pest surveillance protocols, pest identification resources, and biosecurity best practice guidelines. Growers will receive training in disease detection and containment, with a focus on common threats including Banana Bunchy Top Virus (BBTV) and Leaf Spot.

Dr Godwin said: “Our previous work has shown that coordinated surveillance and grower education can make a real difference when we are faced with pest and disease incursions. Since 2022, we’ve conducted 945 farm inspections and destroyed over 5,000 infected plants, critical steps in containing BBTV. This new project builds on that momentum, expanding our reach and refining our strategies to ensure the industry remains resilient and ready for future threats.”

The project also includes a built-in mechanism to review and workshop future investment opportunities in pest and disease surveillance, ensuring the industry remains agile and forward-looking.

This project (BA24003) is funded by Hort Innovation, using the banana research and development levy and contributions from the Australian Government.