This is a final research report from Hort Innovation’s historical archives. Please note that as these reports may date back as far as the 1990s, the content and recommendations within them may be superseded by more recent research.

What was it all about?

The aim of the project was to continue the development of the Australian walnut industry to achieve increased profitability through a multi-faceted approach to industry capacity building. The strategy was to undertake the employment of a part-time Technical Communications Officer to extend technical information to industry to assist growers in increasing yields and improving nut quality.

The project also assisted the industry and growers in the main growing regions in New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia to improve their productivity, sustainability and viability.

The first year of this position (2013) resulted in regular communication of newsletters and e-bulletins to members, visits to growers in Vic and NSW, a field trip, winter symposium and visit by AWIA members to China to the International Walnut Symposium. Publication of a Blight facts sheet and a booklet on the China walnut visit was also completed.

It became apparent in 2013, which was an exceptional year for high production volumes, that understanding of the export/import market was essential to assist growers and producers to sell their produce.

Industry statistics and data to understand the Australian walnut industry and how it matched up with the international production and markets were also essential together with an Industry biosecurity plan.

The project scope was re-defined in January 2014 to provide a narrower but in depth focus with specific achievable outcomes.

Facilitation: Facilitated interactions and networks between walnut growers and producers by interaction with the AWIA website member’s forums.

Technology adoption: Developed specific technologies, management practices or decision support systems; implement local activities.

Training: Designed specific training programs and workshops and deliver to targeted groups to increase understanding or skills in defined areas.

Infomation: Provided a broad range of information from a central location, (the AWIA website), such as up to date technologies, market information, world production trends.

A new Technical Communications Officer was employed in July 2014 and had undertaken the role through to the conclusion of the project on the 30th November 2015.

Some of the major outputs during this period have included:

1. Regular e-newsletters prepared and distributed
2. Review of the Pest and Disease list within the Nut Industry Biosecurity plan and the near completion of the Walnut On-farm Biosecurity Manual. (To be finalised once the Nut Industry Biosecurity Plan was released)
3. Finalisation of the Walnut Industry Communications and Engagement Strategy
4. Collection and collation of grower and industry issues that were then utilised as part of the AWIA Strategic Planning review
5. Development of the Australian Walnut Industry Strategic Plan – 2015 to 2020
6. Twice annual symposiums/farm Wwalks that were well attended.