Championing innovation in the face of a once in a century challenge

They have weathered many a drought, flood, crash in market prices, export ban and most recently the devastating bushfires along the east coast.

Through all these periods of uncertainty and tribulation the diverse group of people that make up the Australian horticultural sector; farmers, produce markets, retailers, rural services and the seed companies have found a way to endure and innovate together to meet the challenges facing them all.

The industry is currently facing a crisis not seen for more than a century and combined with mobile populations and interconnected world economy it is on a scale of unimaginable proportions.

It is affecting every facet of the economy and therefore the agricultural sector as well.

The combined East Gippsland Vegetable Innovation Days and the International Spinach Conference scheduled for May 2020 is the perfect opportunity to welcome colleagues from every part of the sector to show case new and exciting developments, innovations, products and collaborations and to both teach and learn from our international friends from around the globe.

Product development is the engine that drives seed companies and ultimately the entire industry, and Australia is one of the main product development regions.

The diverse and unpredictable climate affords the best opportunities to test products for all conditions.

Experienced growers will advocate the power of continued development and trialling the latest genetics to keep ahead of the pack.

Such development exists based on trust and relationship.

It is events such as EGVID that are the best opportunity to strengthen these relationships and form new ones.

Despite the recent restrictions that have caused the International Spinach Conference to be postponed, the planning around the EGVID site and field days have continued in earnest.

The field days are set to go ahead all be it in a very different format.

It is through the ingenuity of all those involved and especially that of the organisers and coordinators that this years EGVID will be a truly new experience.

Utilising the power of technology and the global reach of social media, each contributor and participant will have the opportunity to showcase their products to not only to the local attendees, but also those colleagues and customers unable to travel from every part of the world.

In an industry where product and people are so intrinsically linked to the soil and physical environment, it will be a challenge but also a great opportunity to bring that to the digital world in a virtual space.

It will be an exciting journey bringing EGVID to life on screen and might just set a president for future events.

This is the perfect opportunity to reach an even broader community globally and link the usually isolated agricultural communities from across the globe like never before.

Despite the current health and economic climate it is wonderful to see the high moral from all the contributors, everyone working hard every week to complete their field sites, and the good will and support between competitors to make this event a success for the industry as a whole.