Content Executive summary 1 Strategic Investment Advisory Panel 2 Marketing report 3 R&D project list 2015/16 4 R&D report 5 Financial summary 8

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1 Papaya

2 Content Executive summary 1 Strategic Investment Advisory Panel 2 Marketing report 3 R&D project list 2015/16 4 R&D report 5 Financial summary 8 Minor use permits 9 Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited (Hort Innovation) makes no representations and expressly disclaims all warranties (to the extent permitted by law) about the accuracy, completeness, or currency of information in the Papaya levy fund industry Annual Report 2015/16. Reliance on any information provided by Hort Innovation is entirely at your own risk. Hort Innovation is not responsible for, and will not be liable for, any loss, damage, claim, expense, cost (including legal costs) or other liability arising in any way, including from any Hort Innovation or other person s negligence or otherwise from your use or non-use of the Papaya levy fund industry Annual Report 2015/16, or from reliance on information contained in the material or that Hort Innovation provides to you by any other means. Copyright Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited The projects in this report have been funded by Horticulture Innovation Australia Limited using sources including the papaya levy, Australian Government contributions and, in some instances, co-contributions from a variety of sources.

3 Executive summary Executive summary During 2015/16, Horticulture Innovation Australia (Hort Innovation) was focused on investing the papaya levy and Australian Government contributions into R&D and marketing projects to improve growers productivity and profitability and ensure the long-term sustainability of the industry. 1 Hort Innovation invested more than $115,000 in R&D projects aiming to improve grower returns. Research into plant breeding and the development and commercialisation of new varieties was a focus, with an emphasis on genetic material to improve fruit quality and yields. The industry s levy also contributed to research into fruitspotting bug management, to provide growers with best practice guidelines for effective on-farm control of the pest. Control and management options for post-harvest decay were also investigated with best practice guidelines developed for growers. These and other vital R&D outcomes were shared with growers and the wider industry through a series of communication initiatives during 2015/16 period as well. Meanwhile Hort Innovation s marketing program for the papaya industry focused on communicating directly with potential consumers at point-of-sale to increase awareness and encourage sample tasting. The second component of the marketing campaign targeted health-conscious consumers through social and mainstream media. Annual Report 2015/16

4 Strategic Investment Advisory Panel Strategic Investment Advisory Panel Hort Innovation has established Strategic Investment Advisory Panels (SIAPs) to provide advice to help ensure R&D and marketing investment decisions are balanced and prioritised by the current needs of each horticulture levy industry. 2 About industry SIAPs The key function of Hort Innovation s levy-industry SIAPs is to provide transparent and robust advice on potential investment opportunities, helping to guide the way industry levies and Australian Government contributions are put to use. Each SIAP has clearly defined objectives associated with the provision of this strategic investment advice, and is guided by the priorities set out in the Strategic Investment Plan for each levy industry. During the 2015/16 financial period, 18 SIAPs were formed, with others appointed in the 2016/17 period. Each industry SIAP is made up of panellists from that industry most of whom are levy-paying growers with appointments made based on skills criteria and considering geographic and sectoral diversity. Each SIAP also has a chair, as listed on the industry grower pages of Hort Innovation s website. The chair appointments selected by the Hort Innovation Board reflect a broad range of horticulture and agriculture experience, as well as solid foundations in former chairing roles. Papaya SIAP panellists Name Organisation Location Joe Zappala J Zappala Farms QLD Yan Diczbalis Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries QLD Daniel Mackay Mackays QLD Gerard Kath Lecker Farming QLD SIAP meetings Summary notes from each SIAP meeting will continue to be available on the papaya grower page on Hort Innovation s website, at Below is a brief overview of the SIAP s inaugural meeting. July 18, 2016 Held in the 2016/17 period in South Johnstone, Queensland, this meeting addressed governance, roles and responsibilities, and outlined the strategic focus of the SIAP. Panellists were given an overview of the new processes and systems within Hort Innovation, including the delineation between the two main funding streams of levy and co-investment. An overview of the marketing program provided a recap of the 2015/16 year and an outline of the 2016/17 year. A discussion of the current R&D program, including financials, concepts and current projects, was followed by a workshop to discuss the development of the industry s Strategic Investment Plan. Papaya industry levy fund

5 Marketing report Marketing report Hort Innovation s 2015/16 marketing program for the papaya industry had strong focus on connecting directly with potential consumers, including young families. The second component of the marketing campaign targeted healthconscious consumers through social and mainstream media and reached almost 14 million people. In-store demonstrations As part of more than 100 demonstrations in Coles, Woolworths and independent supermarkets, consumers were offered fresh papaya samples by trained brand ambassadors, along with papaya recipes, information on the fruit s health benefits and other key selling messages. The objectives were to increase awareness of papaya, encourage people to taste the fruit, communicate its uses, explain the difference between papaya and papaw and, importantly, encouraging purchase while ensuring consumers walked away with a positive papaya experience. Ambassadors Family health and wellness blogger Dani Stevens was appointed the Australian Papaya family ambassador and throughout the year provided recipes, a recipe video in conjunction with Bondi Harvest, along with 85 social media posts and five blog posts. Her total reach was almost five million consumers. Australian Papaya health ambassador Caitlin Reid reviewed recipes to create specific health messages, conducted an insightful Facebook Q&A and reviewed all content for the papaya exhibition at the Pregnancy & Baby Expo. 3 More than 11,000 samples were provided, averaging 105 per session. During the campaign, whole papaya sales totalled 923, or 8.5 per session on average, and half papaya sales totalled 433, an average of three per session. Health benefits were the most popular reason for purchase cited by consumers. PR and media campaign The key objective of PR and media activity was to educate and inspire Australians to enjoy the goodness and benefits of papaya. The activity was focused on engaging health-conscious consumers, parents with young children and parents-to-be and included content creation, media outreach, the use of papaya ambassadors and strong use of social media (Facebook). A total of 212 pieces of media coverage were achieved across mainstream and social media with a total reach of almost 14 million consumers. As part of the media outreach, and to ensure papaya messaging was adequately conveyed, high-impact briefings were held with Australian papaya health spokesperson Caitlin Reid and grower Daniel McKay. Nutritional information, recipes and industry information were posted on Facebook three times a week during the autumn and spring peaks, and twice a week at other times. This grew the industry s social media following to 13,500 fans with a high engagement rate of nine per cent. Pregnancy & Baby Expo Papaya exhibited at the Pregnancy & Baby Expo held at Sydney Olympic Park in May 2016, which was attended by over 20,000 people. Attendees were provided with papaya recipes and information. The fruit was also sampled on its own, with lime and with banana as a puree. The key objective was to target information-hungry new mums and mums-to-be and get papaya on their baby s menu early. Papaya was also promoted via the Expo s website, which was viewed 28,012 times during the show, as well as its Facebook page, which has 457,000 impressions bolstering the already substantial reach of the event and papaya s participation. Annual Report 2015/16

6 R&D project list 2015/16 R&D project list 2015/16 4 PROJECTS CONTRACTED PP15000 MT15032 FINAL REPORTS ISSUED PP11000 New genetic targets to improve quality in papaya Monitoring and evaluation framework for the industry Strategic Investment Plan Papaya communications VC PROJECTS CARRIED OVER FROM HORTICULTURE AUSTRALIA LIMITED PP13007 MT13061 MT14055 Industry development and research in the papaya industry Understanding the purchase behaviour of fresh produce consumers Driving collaboration in Australian horticultural research PP13000 MT10049 Effect of curative and protectant pre-harvest fungicide applications on post-harvest decay of papaya A multi target approach to fruitspotting bug management* During the 2015/16 financial year, all Australian levy paying horticulture industries also contributed to across-industry projects addressing issues that affect horticulture as a whole. * As well as being funded by multiple levy programs, this project involved funding from Hort Innovation s across-industry contribution stream Papaya industry levy fund

7 R&D report R&D report Take a closer look at some of Hort Innovation s key projects for the papaya industry below. To keep up to date with the latest information on new and ongoing R&D for the industry, visit and keep an eye out for Hort Innovation s quarterly Hortlink publication, also available from the website Effect of curative and protectant pre-harvest fungicide applications on post-harvest decay of papaya (PP13000) This project investigated the control and management options for growers to reduce post-harvest decay of papaya caused by fungal diseases. This was critical research given the industry reports annual yield losses to post-harvest decay of 20 to 40 per cent. The project evaluated the efficacy of pre-harvest applications of difenoconazole in spray programs with protectant fungicides; the impact of regularly removing senescent leaves and disease infected fruit; as well as post-harvest hot water treatment. The trials were conducted with growers in the Mareeba and Innisfail area, and researchers found that while current fungicide spray schedules for the control of foliar diseases during the warm and wet summer months provided a level of control of many of the post-harvest rots of papaya, there was no benefit in including the curative fungicide difenoconazole in the spray program. Removal of dead leaf proved an effective method of reducing disease inoculum levels in the crop and also provided a clear pathway to the fruit column during fungicide spray applications. In the post-harvest trials, results from disease assessments showed that hot water temperature treatments between 50 to 52 C provided the optimal treatment for controlling disease. The project determined that adequate control of post-harvest diseases of papaya could be achieved by combining field sprays with post-harvest treatments of hot water. It concluded that for Queensland papaya producers, the decision to install a hot water treatment system in farm packing sheds would require consideration of the cost benefit, including a reduction in the need for postharvest chemical fungicides, increased profit through reduced spoilage in supply chains, and the opportunity to use hot water from a clean-green marketing stand-point. End users would also benefit by having disease-free fruit, with a longer shelf life most fully realized at times of the year when disease pressure is high. Industry development and research in the papaya industry (PP13007) This project was focused on developing an understanding of the cultivar requirements for commercial papaya growers. This would allow for improvements to the industry s plant breeding and selection program that would benefit productivity and profitability. Funding from the project covered an industry development officer (IDO) and a one-year project for a papaya researcher. The IDO liaised with growers, researchers and stakeholders and organised regional field days to promote peer-topeer interaction and the exchange of industry knowledge and issues. 5 Hot water dips were amongst trials conducted for the Effect of curative and protectant pre-harvest fungicide applications on post-harvest decay of papaya (PP13000) The researcher funded by this project was focused on improving papaya breeding techniques. The research resulted in successful tissue cultures being developed for commercial scale production. Importantly DNA markers used during this trial were able to predict with 100 per cent accuracy the sex of the seedlings. Fruit shape is related to the sex of papaya trees and the Australian domestic market prefers female fruits for yellow papaw, and hermaphrodite fruits for red papaya. Annual Report 2015/16

8 R&D project list 2015/16 Projects to improve plant health and fruit quality were a key focus for the industry Papaya industry levy fund

9 R&D report Papaya communications (PP11000) This project focused on maintaining and improving communication to Australian papaya growers and other industry stakeholders. Keeping the industry up-to-date on R&D and marketing activities, news, issues, events and other information is critical to help the industry tackle issues and to support decision-making and the uptake of new research and technology. A number of regular communication channels were produced and maintained as part of this project, including, but not limited to: The Papaya Post newsletter, which was printed and sent to more than 130 growers. Each newsletter aimed to provide growers with relevant information on research and marketing, industry development, technology and research The Industry Annual Report was produced as a one off report per year from on the state of the R&D and marketing projects. This report was sent to over 130 growers. The Papaya Australia Ltd website, which was developed under this project ( Monitoring and evaluation framework for the industry Strategic Investment Plan (MT15032) An image published in the Papaya Post Among other things, this project helps support the monitoring and evaluation of individual industry Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs). SIPs are the roadmaps that help ensure levy investment decisions align with individual industry priorities. They are used to guide decision-making in levy spending, and represent a balanced view of stakeholders in each industry. New genetic targets to improve quality in papaya (PP15000) With a focus on improving the quality of Australian papaya, this project will assist breeding now and in the near-future, and support industry development. It has five key sub-projects: Breeding to improve flavour and other important traits in commercial papaya Collection of papaya germplasm and the development of a related database, to provide a resource to increase the genetic base of Australian papaya Molecular studies to assist breeding for papaya Papaya Ringspot Virus Type P (PRSV-P) resistance work, for crop protection Employment of an industry development officer (IDO), who coordinated grower field days to support the transfer of knowledge and uptake of R&D. A multi target approach to fruitspotting bug management (MT10049) The overarching aim of this project was to allow for improved management of fruitspotting bugs, which are major native pests that affect a large range of fruit and nut crops in Australia. The goal was to investigate more strategic, long-term and sustainable management approaches than the current singletarget approach using broad-spectrum insecticides. Avenues of investigation included insect lifecycles; new and targeted chemical control; monitoring; trap cropping; pheromone traps; biological control; area wide management and more. The research culminated in the publication of the 40-page Fruitspotting Bugs 2016 guide, which was published in the 2016/17 period and is available to download from Full details of all completed research can be found in project final reports, which are available to order at (final reports are free to Australian horticulture levy payers, registered Hort Innovation members and industry representative bodies). 7 Annual Report 2015/16

10 Financial summary Financial summary Financial operating statement 2015/16 8 MARKETING ($) R&D ($) TOTAL ($) 2015/16 July June 2015/16 July June 2015/16 July June Opening balance 110, , ,672 Levies from growers (net of collection costs) 163, , ,676 Commonwealth funds - 59,405 59,405 Other income 3,667 6,493 10,160 Total income 167, , ,241 Project funding 126,594 99, ,419 Consultation with and advice from growers 2,736 5,317 8,052 Service delivery 16,813 13,668 30,481 Total matched expenditure 146, , ,953 Levy contribution to across industry activity - 2,655 2,655 Closing balance 131, , ,305 Levy collection costs 3,274 3,274 6,547 Additional expenditure through VC - 10,232 10,232 Papaya industry levy fund

11 Minor use permits Minor use permits Pesticides are a valuable tool for the papaya industry. While the use of pesticides is being modified through the increasing uptake of integrated pest management, there is still a need for the strategic use of specific pesticides. Pesticide companies submit use patterns for registration to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority (APVMA) and the papaya industry is therefore provided with limited registrations because of its minor crop status. Minor use permits are required in the papaya industry where the market size is considered too small and therefore not adequate commercial returns for the research and development investment by the pesticide companies. 9 Below is a list of all current minor use permits for the papaya industry, as of November 28, 2016: Permit ID Permit description (pesticide/crop/pest) Date issued Expiry date Permit holder PER12592 Chlorothalonil & Difenoconazole / Papaya / Black spot & Brown spot 14-Aug Jun-20 Growcom PER13076 Propamocarb / Papaw or Papaya (seedlings) / Damping off 05-Apr Mar-17 PA^ PER13158 v8 Dimethoate / Specified Citrus, Tropical Fruit commodities and Hot chilli peppers (post-harvest) / Various Fruit Fly species 06-Oct Oct-17 Growcom PER13671 Bulldock 25 EC / Papaya / Fruit-spotting bug and Banana-spotting bug 28-Nov Oct-17 Growcom PER14098 Paramite Selective Miticide (etoxazole) / Papaya / Two spotted mite 3-Oct June-18 PA PER14097 Abamectin & Fenbutatin Oxide / Papaya / Two-spotted mite 31-Oct Jun-18 PA PER12450 v6* Trichlorfon / Specified Fruit crops / Fruit fly 06-Oct Jan-21 Growcom PER14417 Copper as Hydroxide / Papaya / Papaya Fruit Rot 28-Feb Mar-19 PA PER14490 Metalaxyl-M (Ridomil Gold), Metalaxyl (Zee-mil) + Phosphorous acid / Papaya / Phytophthora root rot & Pythium 4-Apr Mar-19 PA PER13859 Dimethoate / Orchard cleanup - fruit fly host crops following harvest / Fruit Fly 9-Feb Jul-24 Growcom PER80746 Ethephon / Papaya / Fruit De-greening 18-Aug Aug-20 PA * During the 2015/16 financial year, a renewal for this flagged permit was prepared and submitted to the APVMA. All efforts have been made to provide the most current, complete and accurate information on these permits, however it s recommended that you confirm all details on the APVMA website, portal.apvma.gov.au/permits. Details of the conditions of use associated with these permits can also be found on the APVMA site. ^ Papaya Australia Minor use R&D projects active in the 2015/16 period PP13004 ST15027 Minor use permits for the papaya industry Generation of residue data for pesticide minor use permit applications in horticulture crops 2015/16 Eurofins Annual Report 2015/16

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