The Victorian Government is making the food and fibre sector stronger by collaborating with global partners and sharing best practice, sustainable and innovative horticulture solutions.
The XI International Symposium on Irrigation of Horticultural Crops is underway at the Tatura SmartFarm in the Goulburn Valley, one of the state's largest fruit-growing districts.
Co-hosted by Agriculture Victoria and the International Society of Horticultural Sciences, the event from 18-23 January is globally significant for horticulture bringing together leading scientists, growers, and industry experts from around the world.
The theme of the symposium is 'Acting on Water for Climate Change, Environment and Energy' exploring how smarter irrigation approaches can help horticulture adapt to climate change.
Delegates have come together to discuss irrigation, energy efficiency, drought management, and sustainable practices that protect natural resources and support global food production.
Agriculture Victoria Chief Executive Beth Jones said the symposium provides a forum for meaningful knowledge sharing to underpin innovation in science.
'We are committed to fostering global collaboration and driving innovation in agricultural science, and events like this at the Agriculture Victoria Tatura SmartFarm in the Goulburn Valley provide the ideal environment for mutual learning and on farm demonstration.
'Agriculture sectors around the world are faced with similar challenges and it is essential we share information and learn from each other to remain strong and resilient,' Ms Jones said.
With platinum sponsorship from Hort Innovation, the symposium has also received support from ICT International, CropX, Greater Shepparton City Council, Goulburn-Murray Water, and Sentek.
Agriculture Victoria's Tatura SmartFarm is a nation-leading centre for horticulture research and innovation with a focus on orchard design, production, fruit and tree physiology, irrigation, AgTech, climate adaptation and integrated pest and disease management to future-proof horticulture.
Tatura is one of 5 Agriculture Victoria SmartFarms across regional Victoria, connected to the world-class AgriBio centre for Agribiosciences in Bundoora and focused on practical solutions to strengthen Victoria's agriculture sector.
