industry & research
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Top of the crops
S
WSU’s unique
protected cropping
centre aims to
lessen the effects
of climate change
and reduce costs
for smaller‑scale
farmers.
David Tissue interviewed
by Loren Smith
16
ydney’s Hawkesbury region has been fertile
since 1891. Now, it’s getting a new agricultural
lease of life, and making Australia’s food more
secure in the process.
WSU’s state-of-the-art National Vegetable Protected
Cropping Centre, located at its Hawkesbury campus, is
the first of its kind nationwide.
A collaboration between the university and not-for-
profit research, development and marketing company
Hort Innovation, the centre will feature a centrepiece
$7 million glasshouse.
Eight temperature-controlled research bays and one
large-scale teaching bay will sit within the 2000m 2
structure. Using climate control technology, like
diffus