APPLE and pear grower Cedric Lethbridge, Bilpin Springs Orchard, Bilpin, is one of just 450 members registered with the newly formed grower-owned horticulture research and development corporation, Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA).
While some growers have raised concerns about the ability of HIA to consult at the grassroots level, Mr Lethbridge said he was confident new industry body had its ear to the ground.
“We’ve already met HIA people on an orchard walk and we’ve been able to talk to them freely,” he said.
“It looks promising to me.”
Mr Lethbridge said he had communicated to HIA the importance of extension officers in horticulture in the wake of cuts to the NSW Department of Primary Industries.
He would also like to see it invest in horticultural training and education, and the development of chemical-free products to manage pests and diseases.
Like many, Christine Ray, Ray’s Orchard, Bilpin, hasn’t yet registered to be an HIA member, but she intended to do so.
She said she would like to see research dollars invested in developing fruit-tree netting made from a durable material.
Mrs Ray said flying-foxes continued to be a problem for the Bilpin apple growing area.