Challenge Global food production faces mounting pressures from population growth, urbanisation, and climate change, which constrain the sustainable supply of high-quality, nutritious, and flavour-rich crops. Traditional open-field agriculture is increasingly vulnerable, and there is a pressing need for resilient systems that can consistently meet both domestic and international market demands.
Solution Protected cropping (PC) has enormous potential to overcoming the threats faced by traditional agricultural systems. Our objective is to develop smart crop management strategies that optimise yield and quality in existing and new cultivars for target crops for premium markets. Strategies include smart technologies for monitoring and control of crop production, quality and health; novel integrated pest and disease management; and developing varieties optimised for production under Protected cropping
Impact By integrating advanced crop monitoring, pest control, and breeding solutions, this project will enable more precise, efficient, and sustainable crop production. The outcomes will help the protected cropping sector deliver high-value produce to premium markets while addressing the broader challenges of food security and climate resilience thus positioning protected cropping as a cornerstone of future-proof agriculture.
