INNOVATION AND ADOPTION
The ABA industry development ( ID ) team works side-by-side with almond growers , industry stakeholders and value chain members . Funded through Hort Innovation the program extends knowledge and technologies generated within the Australian and international research communities as well as drawing on the expertise within the industry to establish best practice in an Australian context and enable better business decisions .
The Australian almond industry innovation and adoption program is guided by industry ’ s priorities and relies on the outputs from the Hort Innovation ’ s almond research program and grower innovation to address gaps in knowledge and develop new technologies to support the sustainability and competitiveness of the industry .
Priority areas for delivery in 2021 / 22 were identified through the industry ’ s strategic plan as well as responding to industry needs about : biosecurity response to Varroa destructor ; maintaining healthy hives and pollination efficiency ; coping with adverse weather at harvest and on-farm stockpile management ; hygiene and strategies to control orchard pests and diseases ; understanding soil health and improving on-farm water use efficiency ; grower and nursery agreements and standards ; maintaining disease free planting material ; evaluating new varieties and rootstocks ; food safety and quality and future proofing industry capacity .
Industry intelligence is continually gathered by the ID team through daily grower and stakeholder feedback , quarterly ABA sub committees , regular project reference group meetings , review of research plans and findings , forum discussions , monitoring overseas publications and keeping abreast of emerging issues and changes in government policy regulations . Industry standard practice is also gathered through webinar and field day feedback mechanisms to continually improve the effectiveness and timeliness of delivery .
The ABA has maintained strong cohesive relationships with industry leaders , researchers , service providers and commercial agents , both in Australia and overseas , allowing trusted communication and information sharing providing Australian almond growers with the knowledge needed to adapt to the increasingly dynamic , physical and economic environment required to make smart business decisions .
Extension activities for 2021 / 22 were again constrained by COVID 19 border closures in the first six month defaulting to online webinars and meetings to maintain connections with industry stakeholders . Since restrictions were lifted in January a full program of face-to-face events have been embraced by all evidenced by strong participation :
• 16 ABA subcommittee meetings – 161 participants
• Five webinars – 167 participants
• Five workshops – 81 participants
• Two field days - 68 participants
• 24 farm visits – 80 growers
• 34 liaison meetings with 136 industry , research , government stakeholders
• 20 issues-based or project reference group meetings
• Eight ABA hosted tours showcasing regional enterprises and processing facilities to 69 visitors
• Riverina regional meeting – 36 participants
• Murray Darling Basin water study tour with 30 participants
• Eight presentations to 268 industry stakeholders
• Four “ In a Nutshell ” magazine articles ; 36 “ Grower notices ”; and monthly Almond Byte publications
• Five best practice videos .
Future extension activities will continue to strengthen collaborative opportunities within an extensive and diverse network . The ABA website provides the point of reference for all project deliverables creating a valuable legacy of information to support the Australian almond industry .
2021 / 22 ABA ANNUAL REPORT
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