This project will improve onion growers’ understanding of the potential environmental impacts of the industry on a total and per kilogram basis and produce critical external communications based on the findings.

Challenge
Consumers and retailers are demanding increased transparency on sustainability, with some consumers willing to pay a premium for sustainability claims. Growers and supply chain partners are increasingly driven by sustainability-related accountability and assurance programmes extending to environmental and social issues.
While most growers would understand the types of environmental impacts, an industry approach is required so that impacts are measured appropriately and consistently.

Response
The project team is:
• Working with Australian onion growers to benchmark the environmental performance of onion production. With these benchmarks, including carbon emissions and water usage, growers can compare performance to the industry average and track improvements over time.
• Identifying the areas of greatest return/feasibility for practice change and the value of progressing alternative approaches.
• Providing insights to improve input management while maintaining yield and quality in a changing climate.
• Developing case studies to provide adaptation and risk mitigation options.
• Providing recommendations for industry to address gaps in knowledge and future R&D requirements (actions, mitigations or future R&D investments) to reduce future climate change risks.

Benefit
The findings from this project will directly benefit individual onion growers and the industry as a whole by providing a comprehensive understanding of the industry’s environmental impact. These findings will also guide future strategic industry investments and support the long-term sustainability of Australian onion producers, enabling them to cater to key domestic and expanded export markets.

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.

• Onion Fund