Flavorite Group, which has orchard and farm sites at Tatura, Katunga and Mansfield, is taking advantage of a $52 million investment in robotic solutions to revolutionise pollinating, spraying, harvesting and packing operations.
Flavorite Group chief operating officer Chris Millis said the new technology would allow for more effective management of labour.
“It will enable the redeployment of people or teams to other business-building activities that have previously been limited due to resource availability,” Mr Millis said.
“We currently hand-pollinate 50 hectares of tomatoes grown in glasshouses six times per week for 41 weeks.
“If pollination could be mechanised, our labour requirements could be reduced by 80 per cent.”
Mr Millis said another example was the labour-intensive packing of fruit which is a major cost to production.
“Implementing an automated packing approach could save our business around $2.4 million per year,” he said.
The $52 million behind the industry-wide initiative is being delivered through Hort Innovation’s Frontiers Investment Program and is led by Applied Horticultural Research.
The program will help allow growers to maintain their profitability by advancing the industry’s approach towards management, sustainability and employment.
Hort Innovation chief executive officer Brett Fifield said the program had been designed by producers.
“With more than $20 million invested directly from growers in this program, this industry-driven initiative holds immense potential for advancing the protected cropping sector in Australia,” Mr Fifield said.
“By embracing automation and technological advancements, growers can achieve greater sustainability, improve crop quality, and enhance profitability, paving the way for a more efficient and competitive future.”
Protected Cropping Australia executive officer Julie Krieger said the program focused on key priorities and set a vision for a thriving Australian protected cropping industry ready for international competition.
“As part of the strategy, industry identified optimising fit-for-purpose, cost-effective technologies as a priority,” Ms Krieger said.
“As well an increasing knowledge, capacity and practice change, which this program will address.”
Flavorite is one of three companies co-investing $20 million in the program along with Applied Horticultural Research, DEECA and drone pollinator designer Polybee.
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