In Australia, it is estimated that pollination-dependent crops are worth over $4.3 billion per annum, with a direct contribution from honey bees estimated to be over $1.6b.

The Hort Frontiers Pollination Fund aims to enhance and support existing pollinators as well as identifying the most effective pollination methods for various horticulture crop types.

The Fund was developed to create a sustainable and resilient horticultural industry through improved pollination options and services, as pollination is considered a priority for most horticulture industries. It also aims to address the needs of growers and supporting beekeepers and their businesses.

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Establishing the Fund has allowed projects to be undertaken that may not have otherwise been possible for the vegetable industry.

These projects have been funded by the Hort Frontiers Pollination Fund, part of the Hort Frontiers strategic partnership initiative developed by Hort Innovation, with funding from a range of co-investors and contributions from the Australian Government.

This article is appearing in the Spring 2020 edition of Vegetables Australia. The full publication will be released shortly, so keep an eye on your mailbox!