The Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection program assists melon, potato and vegetable growers to improve the management of their soil and crop health, to drive their productivity, profitability and sustainability on-farm.

Building on the success of the previous investment Soil Wealth and Integrated Crop Protection – phase 2 (VG16078), the new project will focus on:

1. Soil health, which underpins sustainable farming systems and the production of healthy crops. Improving soil management practices will assist vegetable growers to have a more productive and resilient natural resource base with a focus on soil care, increasing organic material and improving grower margins.
2. Crop health, driven by improved soil health and crop protection measures. Improving crop protection management practices will assist vegetable growers to produce healthier and more profitable crops through managing insects, diseases and weeds to maintain healthy plants.
3. Optimising inputs for healthy soils and crops, and profitable vegetable businesses. Increasing skills in the effective use of nutrients, water, chemicals and other resources (e.g. plastic to minimise waste) will assist vegetable growers to maintain market advantage and demonstrate sustainability.
4. Carbon and climate. The climate influences what, when and how soil and crop health can be managed, including associated input use. Increasing awareness of changes in climate, both in extremes and longer-term averages, will be important for adapting production systems. Understanding the role of carbon will assist vegetable growers to remain profitable and sustainable into the future.

This project has been funded by Hort Innovation, using the research and development levies listed below and contributions from the Australian Government. Hort Innovation is the grower-owned, not-for-profit research and development corporation for Australian horticulture.

• Vegetable Fund