Barden Farms uses RED grant for lettuce harvesting and cooling machine

Barden Farms, based in the Lockyer Valley, has secured a Queensland government Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant to install the custom-made machine while also creating up to 24 local jobs.

Barden Farms managing director, Andrew Drummond, said the new equipment will enable the enterprise to harvest, bag and cool lettuce in the morning for export that night.

"We envision the new equipment to be a one-stop harvesting aid, enabling us to grow, cool and pack quality lettuce more efficiently to each customer's specifications," Mr Drummond said.

"The project will create up to 24 full-time jobs including farm labourers and harvest supervisors, and it is also expected to create a range of indirect jobs in agronomy, freight, and horticultural suppliers.

"The new labourers won't need to be experienced farm workers, because the modern harvesting machine makes it simple to operate, grade and pack produce."

The new harvesting and cooling system will be used at Barden Farms' Gatton site during winter, Nobby site during summer, and Inglewood site during the remainder of the year.

The machine is expected to be up-and-running by next year.

The fifth round of the RED Grants program has provided $3.9 million in funding and is expected to create up to 215 direct, long-term jobs.

Grants are available for up to $200,000 with a 50 per cent cash contribution requirement from applicants to fund projects which generate economic and employment opportunities related to primary production value chains across rural and remote Queensland.

A sixth round of RED Grants, supporting Indigenous-owned agribusinesses and projects aimed at low-emissions agriculture, has been allocated for the 2023-24 financial year, with applications to open later this year.

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