Organic Horticulture Research Development and Innovation Strategy

Major First in the Organic Horticulture Sector

LIVE: Australian Organic Horticulture RD&I Strategy 2026 – 2035

We’re pleased to share a landmark opportunity for the future of certified organic horticulture in Australia – the Organic Horticulture Research, Development and Innovation (RD&I) Strategy 2026–2035 has been officially launched.

Join the Organic Horticulture RD&I Working Group to help bring the Strategy to life. Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open. The Working Group will provide ongoing governance and strategic oversight of the Strategy, find out more below.

Southern Cross University, in partnership with Australian Organic Limited (AOL) and the four organic certification bodies, secured a national Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) grant co-funded through the Hort Innovation Frontiers program to deliver the first-ever Organic Horticulture RD&I Strategy for Australia.

For the first time, the entire organic sector came together to co-design a national research strategy supported by all four national certification bodies: Australian Certification Ltd (ACO), Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI), Organic Food Chain (OFC), and Southern Cross Certified (SXC).

The Strategy is the result a 11-month national conversation with industry, ensuring we captured a holistic understanding of what matters most to growers, extension and supply chain stakeholders, and retailers when it comes to prioritising RD&I investment in certified organic horticulture in Australia.

In total, we consulted with more than 100 stakeholders, hosted 8 national workshops, and 41 one-on-one intensive interviews.

The result?

A strategic roadmap to 2035, identifying key research needs, production priorities, and innovation opportunities to strengthen and grow a more competitive, resilient and well-connected organic horticulture sector. With the goal of doubling the value and impact of certified organic horticulture by 2035, the Strategy provides a targeted investment roadmap to unlock sector growth, positioning it as a high-value growth segment of Australian horticulture and a pathfinder for sustainable production systems across the broader industry.

There are 3 strategic priority areas that anchor all activity – Consumer Awareness, Pest & Disease Management and Knowledge Sharing – and multiple mapped research initiatives, including nutritional and residue-profiling studies, biological pest control research, a national database of organic-compliant biological products, and an AI-powered knowledge platform to improve research access and reduce grower compliance costs.

The Strategy On a Page can be found at page 3 of the report.

What Comes Next — Join the Organic Horticulture RD&I Working Group

Australia’s organic horticulture sector now has a clear, co-designed roadmap for research, development and innovation through to 2035. The next step is building the team that will bring it to life – Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now open.

About the Organic Horticulture RD&I Working Group

The Organic Horticulture RD&I Working Group will provide ongoing governance and strategic oversight of the Strategy. Working Group members will:

Guide investment prioritisation across the three priority areas
Oversee the annual review and public release of updated Strategy priorities and recommendations
Advise on the development of fundable RD&I propositions
Facilitate cross-sector collaboration and knowledge exchange
Monitor progress toward the Strategy’s 2035 goals

Who we’re looking for

We are seeking 8–12 founding members with representation across certified organic growers and producers, certifiers, research institutions, funding bodies, industry and retail, and government.

Whether you are a certified organic grower who has navigated the challenges of low-input production first-hand, a researcher with deep expertise in horticulture science, a policy professional who understands the funding landscape, or a supply chain leader committed to the future of high-integrity produce – submit your EOI to join the Working Group! Submissions close 30 June 2026.

Thank you for your Involvement

Thank you for your continued engagement and to everyone who contributed throughout the consultation process. Your input has played a critical role in shaping the Strategy, ensuring it reflects industry needs and delivers practical, future-focused outcomes for the sector.

We would like to sincerely thank our program sponsors, delivery partners, and contributing organisations for their leadership and support throughout this process.

Have questions or feedback?

For any questions, please don’t hesitate to get in contact with Kristy Banks, AOL Horticulture Project Lead.

The RD&I Strategy for the Australian Organic Horticulture Sector (LP24001) is funded through Hort Innovation Frontiers, with co-investment from Southern Cross University, Australian Organic Limited, ACO Certification Ltd, The Organic Food Chain Pty Ltd, Bio-dynamic Research Institute, Southern Cross Certified, and contributions from the Australian Government. 