NINE vegetable growers from across Australia will be given the opportunity to apply to attend a grower study tour travelling through Germany and the Netherlands over 10 days in early 2011, including visits to leading vegetable farms, farmers’ markets and the Bayer CropScience headquarters in Monheim, Germany.
The tour will include attendance to the world renowned Fruit Logistica Conference in Berlin from 9-11 February 2011.
AUSVEG Communications Officer Erin Lyall said, “This is a great opportunity for growers around Australia to network and learn more about vegetable production overseas.”
“Growers come back from these study tours with increased knowledge of new products, technologies and services, and also get the opportunity to travel overseas with other Australian growers,” Ms Lyall said.
Fruit Logistica attracts around 54,000 visitors from more than 125 countries around the world, making it the leading trade fair for the international fresh produce industry.
“AUSVEG led a grower tour to Israel, Berlin and Spain at the beginning of this year and feedback was very positive, particularly about the Fruit Logistica Conference. Other recent AUSVEG tours have visited New Zealand and the USA. The feedback that we receive from growers is that these trips are highly valuable,” Ms Lyall said.
“Grower tours provide Australian vegetable and potato producers with a very unique opportunity to gain knowledge about vegetable and potato production practices which are considered international best practice. We take steps to ensure the tours focus on the farms and locations that will provide the maximum level of insight to our growers.”
The project is funded through HAL using voluntary contributions from industry and matched funds from the Australian Government. Growers will be required to make a voluntary contribution of $5,500 toward the cost of the tour. All air and land travel, single room accommodation and most meals will be included, tourist activities, as well as registration for the Fruit Logistica Conference in Berlin.
For further information or for expressions of interest, please contact Elizabeth Cox on (03) 9822 0388 or email elizabeth.cox@ausveg.com.au
