DIFFERENTIATION has long been seen as a key marketing advantage.
Presently, there is momentum gathering to support that within agriculture.
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull recently announced that he'd like to see Australia become an innovation nation.
He made particular reference to the agriculture sector as part of the government’s $1.1 billion new national innovation and science agenda.
According to deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss: “We know that for every dollar that the government invests in rural R&D, farmers generate a $12 return within 10 years."
From the research into robotics used in automated weed sensing, through to postharvest value adding of products (think mango puree iceblocks, pre-packaged vegetable salads, avocado spread in a tube, etc), there is plenty already happening within this space amid plant crops.
A recent Rabobank report suggests that in order to remain competitive, Australian horticulture growers should consider thinking outside of the box, with the premium consumer in mind.
The thinking was echoed by a Project Harvest report which said there is a growth opportunity for vegetable products which go beyond traditional thinking.
Added to this is the opening of the Australian Research Council (ARC) Industrial Transformation Training Centre for Innovative Horticultural Products at the University of Tasmania, plus the official ribbon cutting at the Centre of Excellence for the Australian Almond Industry in Loxton, SA.
Such investment sings loudly the praise and possibility that lies within the nut, vegetable and fruit sectors.
Exciting times are ahead.