Horticulture on the Northern Adelaide Plains

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1 Horticulture on the Northern Adelaide Plains Land Capability, Technology, Competing Use, Markets, Labour Bryan Robertson - HortEx Executive Officer Leaders in Sustainable Horticultural Excellence

2 Regional Resources $350 million in NAP horticultural produce / year Look to increase this to $500 Million / year in the next 5 years $980 million State horticultural produce / year 3000 horticulture businesses on NAP 1300 greenhouse businesses largest greenhouse zone in Australia 650 Vietnamese greenhouse businesses

3 Regional Resources Hydroponic yields range from 30 kg/m kg/m 2 Soil greenhouse yields range from 10 kg/m 2-35 kg/m 2 1 Horticultural FTE supports 5 Service Industry FTE s

4 Land Capability Rainfall mm (winter dominant) Mediterranean Climate Large amount of sunshine and warm weather Fertile Soils Ranging from alluvial soils to heavy clay soils Reliable supply of clean aquifer water T1 and T2 are actively used by the horticultural sector Aquifers have a large supply of renewable water

5 Regional Land Capability Issues Water logging from rising water tables due to; runoff, irrigation, natural aquifer recharge Salinity at depth Salinity dictates land use types Irrigation types matched to water salinity levels Soil Nematodes Biggest killer of crops Insect Pests Chemical Resistance NAP has the highest incidence

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7 Technology Greenhouse Manufacture / Building currently / year Irrigation Scheduling using water more economically / efficiently Fertigation Scheduling using fertiliser more efficiently Climate Control humidity, airflow, temperature Integrated Pest Management use of beneficial insects

8 Technology Latest Seed Company Genetics Grafted Plants use of superior rootstocks on latest varieties Improved Post Harvest Handling / Processing Increases shelf life Increases value adding opportunities

9 Irrigation & Fertigation Scheduling High Tech Low Tech

10 Climate Control Higher Ceilings Fans for increased air movement Computer Controllers

11 The Good, the Bad and the Ugly of Horticultural Insects Integrated Pest Management

12 Plant Genetics

13 Post Harvest Handling / Processing

14 Utility Hubs Electricity Provide greater access to sub stations Increase number of feeder lines Gas Provide nodes for feeder line connection Water Mains water connect communities Recycled water Extend main feeder lines Provide sufficient branch line capability

15 Service / Transport Sector NAP is at the cross roads of transport routes North - South and East West corridors Close proximity to Road, Rail, Sea and Air Freight providers Road 8 hours to Melbourne, 15 hours to Sydney Air 8 hours to Asia, 11 hours to Middle East Sea -12 days to Singapore (compared to 31 days from San Fransico) Edinburgh Park is a Service Hub Food Park to be located in Northern Suburbs Export Park to be located near Food Park

16 Transport Corridors Provide suitable transport corridors Separate trucks from community s residential roads to avoid congestion Connect to existing road infrastructure to maximise efficiencies Decrease times to transport destination Develop infrastructure with an eye for future needs and expansion

17 Competing Land Use Industrial located on the fringes of residential zones & in specific zones Residential taking up value agricultural land as it can pay higher prices Lifestyle blocks 2 10 acre blocks Grain production located in marginal areas dependant on rainfall Livestock production located across the NAP region but generally located on lower value land

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19 Markets NAP provides local produce for the Australian fresh produce market NAP provides majority of national potato, carrot and tomato crop Production for Northern Hemisphere markets in their out of season National and International sales dependent on proximity to road, rail, sea and air transport. Speed to market with increased shelf life of products helps counteract high labour costs. Future lies with Premium Food products aimed at middle to upper classes of marketplaces who have the money to spend.

20 Skilled Labour Resources NAP is home to a large diverse population of skilled growers Migrant workers represent 95% of horticultural workforce NAP is located close to a service sector NAP located close to transport businesses The region requires skilled workers if it is to succeed and expand Require training facilities to keep worker s skills up to date Need to promote the growth of Communities so that workers stay local and services are built to provide for these workers and families

21 Summary We have The soils, climate and water supply to grow any crop Access to world s best technology and practices The skilled growers to grow any horticultural crops The transport systems and pathways Proximity to markets domestically and internationally The labour force to work in horticulture

22 Summary What we need is The ability to develop a comprehensive Horticultural Vision for the NAP The ability to link projects and developments together to maximise outcomes To promote developments that have long term gains and not short term political solutions To get Community buy in to the NAP s horticultural vision and potential To maximise the potential of the NAP Communities and the State