R&D projects

Pre-harvest sanitisation of leafy green vegetables (VG22008)

This project is conducting a literature-based review of potential management options for pre-harvest contamination of leafy green vegetables and other salad products.

16 July 2025

• Final research report
• Vegetable Fund
• Completed project
• Pests, diseases and biosecurity

Exploring AI Applications for the Vegetable Industry (VG24008)

This project aims to identify and prioritise high-impact opportunities for artificial intelligence (AI) within Australia’s vegetable sector.

8 July 2025

Management of viral diseases for the Australian vegetable industry (VG24001)

This project aims to develop eco-friendly, cost-effective solutions to manage viral diseases in vegetable crops, particularly those spread by insect vectors in Queensland growing regions.

8 July 2025

Accelerating early access to emerging tech for vegetable growers (MT24013)

The project aims to fast-track agricultural technology adoption by giving vegetable growers practical, real-world access to the latest innovations across field production, protected cropping, and the supply chain.

8 July 2025

Plant-based protein for sustainability and healthy aging (VG24004)

This project is providing robust evidence to support the role of vegetable/plant-based protein diets on muscoskeletal outcomes in older adults and a clear understanding of sensory drivers, barriers and motivators for adoption of vegetable/plant-based protein diets among key stakeholders.

7 July 2025

• Ongoing project
• Vegetable Fund
• Health and nutrition

Consumer usage and attitude tracking 2023/24 (MT23201)

The Hort IQ Usage and Perceptions Tracker is a continuous monitor of Australian consumer attitudes and behaviours relating to fresh produce. It aims to provide Hort Innovation and its associated stakeholders with a view on important consumer metrics, which can inform strategic decisions.

4 July 2025

• Consumer and market research

Accelerating adoption of Area Wide-Integrated Crop Management in vegetable, onion and potato growing regions (MT24012)

This project will explore the pest and disease priorities of four horticultural industries within two regions of Australia (TAS and SA) to jointly develop relevant and effective control and management options.

3 July 2025

• Ongoing project
• On-farm and crop management
• Pests, diseases and biosecurity

One Survey for vegetable, onion and potato levy funded projects (MT24015)

This project aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of current monitoring and evaluation (M&E) methodologies used across levy-funded R&D projects in the vegetable, fresh potato, processed potato, and onion sectors.

1 July 2025

• Ongoing project
• Vegetable Fund

Finding opportunities to strengthen innovation in the Australian vegetable industry (VG23000)

This project worked with key stakeholders to identify opportunities to enhance innovation in the Australian vegetable industry by evaluating strengths and weaknesses of the innovation system and examining how current functions and structures enable or hinder effective innovation.

30 June 2025

• Final research report
• Vegetable Fund
• Completed project
• Industry development and communication

Foundational data for Farm Gate and Mobile Farm projects (VG24011)

This project aims to increase vegetable consumption among Australian children by delivering immersive, hands-on learning experiences through the VEG Education Farm Gate and Mobile Farm Pilot.

26 June 2025

• Ongoing project