Organic Horticulture Research Development and Innovation Strategy
Major First in the Organic Horticulture Sector
We’re pleased to share a landmark opportunity for the future of certified organic horticulture in Australia. Southern Cross University, in partnership with Australian Organic Limited (AOL), has secured a national Research, Development & Innovation (RD&I) grant through Hort Innovation to deliver the first-ever Organic Horticulture RD&I Strategy for Australia.
For the first time, the entire sector is coming together to co-design a national research strategy supported by all five national certification bodies: ACO Certification Ltd (ACO), Bio-Dynamic Research Institute (BDRI), Organic Food Chain (OFC), and Southern Cross Certified (SXC).
What does this mean?
Over the past 6 months we have been busy hosting series of regional round table discussions and face-to-face interviews across the Organic Horticulture sector, ensuring we are capturing a holistic understanding of what is front and centre for our growers, extension and supply chain stakeholders and retailers when it comes to organic horticulture in Australia.
In total we hosted 7 national workshops and 38 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
Key themes shaping the strategy
As Phase 1 concludes, we’re sharing the key themes and insights that will directly inform the direction and actionable outcomes of the strategy. The themes below are presented in no particular order and reflect priority initiative areas identified through consultation.
Organic Production Systems & Key Suggestions
- Cultivar access: R&D to address seed derogations, seed breeding programs in Australia, Seed production infrastructure in Australia and regional coordinated buying groups
- Weed control: Greater funding for robotics in the industry, R&D into weed control in organic production systems, AI targeted weed zapping, Greater trialling on organic herbicides
- Pest and disease control : Increase research funding for organic pest management, Integration of PolyAg systems R&D
- Organic transition : Support the de-risk to transition, Provide greater support to producers for transition from conventional to organic
- Yield & seasonality : Support yield vs price optimization, Allow greater access to R&D information, increase R&D for resilient organic production
Post Harvest, Supply Chain and Technology
- Postharvest Handling: Greater R&D into bio packaging and labelling that withstand supply chain logistics, enable recycling and cost effective
- Storage and Supply Chain Technology: Monitoring technologies for temperature, weight and traceability, Greater pest & disease control at post-harvest stage
- Traceability & Integrity: Consumer education on farm to fork traceability, Technology platforms to enable greater traceability, Domestic market regulation to prevent fraud
- Technology for Compliance: Streamlining compliance platforms
Domestic Market Regulation
- Regulation, Integrity and Fraud: Support for domestic regulation and as a by product, enablement of greater industry growth
- Consumer Awareness: Ensuring a clear public message on what is organic, Design and implement a mass consumer awareness campaign
- Market Trends: Domestic and export market opportunities
- Organic Premium vs Cost: Quantifying and communicating the real cost of food production systems
- Organic RD&I Capacity: Organic can be a pathfinder for Australian producers, Create more pathways for incoming workforce to join the industry, Create a national platform of knowledge exchange for growers
Export Market Access & Trade
- Market Access & Regulation: Transition paths to export cooperatives, Streamline certification and audit processes
- Biosecurity: Address biosecurity innovations, Ensure international seed biosecurity alignment strategies
- Equivalency: Greater education about export certification systems and processes
- Awareness of Export Opportunities: Greater information on export opportunities, Dedicate a select AusTrade person for Organic affairs
What’s next?
Across the industry, we’ve identified significant opportunities for research, investment and innovation. Over the coming months, Australian Organic Limited and Southern Cross University will develop a draft strategy that assesses these priority areas, incorporates broader insights, and outlines clear pathways for innovation, growth and opportunity over the next 10 years.
As part of this process, the draft strategy will be shared with stakeholders who participated in consultations, as well as broader industry participants, to ensure all perspectives and opportunities are captured.
The draft strategy will be released in late March 2026. Keep an eye out for updates.
The RD&I Strategy for the Australian Organic Horticulture Sector (LP24001) is funded through Hort Innovation’s 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.
Have questions or feedback?
We welcome your input as the strategy continues to take shape. If you have any questions, insights or feedback, please get in touch with Georgie, who would be happy to hear from you.
Email: [email protected]
The RD&I Strategy for the Australian Organic Horticulture Sector (LP24001) is funded through Hort Innovation’s 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.