Spanning from 2020 to 2021, this second phase of the VegNET program kept Australian vegetable growers informed about current R&D activities, results and resources to support the adoption of industry best practice and to bolster vegetable productivity and profitability in key growing areas across the country.

The program funded the positions of regional development officers (RDOs) in key vegetable-growing regions to develop and execute regional extension plans. Project activities included, identifying each region’s key priority issues and key regional resources, ensuring growers received assistance and information that met their needs, and assisting growers operate more efficiently and run profitable businesses.

Dependent on each regional plan, the VegNET RDOs delivered specialised events and R&D materials to meet their growers’ needs. The events included face-to-face opportunities, as well as remote ones during the current COVID-19 landscape.

The regionally based programs were underpinned by the project Training in the development and delivery of innovative vegetable E&A regional plans (VG19018), which provides mentoring and support for each RDO in their work.

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