30 April 2024
Food and Fibre Gippsland and the LVA have been working in partnership to investigate the benefit of establishing a controlled environment agriculture (vertical farming) facility in Gippsland.
With Gippsland home to some of the largest horticulture operations in Australia and having access to significant renewable energy supplies, this project looks to understand if the vertical method of farming will provide climate resilience and additional capacity to existing growers. It will also help determine whether growers have an interest in utilising the technology.
Guided by Ron Geritz, a local man with extensive experience in establishing vertical farms in several countries, including China, the project's Innovation Working Group (IWG) has met on numerous occasions.
The IWG is made up of research specialists from universities including the University of Queensland and Federation University Latrobe, representatives of Veg Net Growers group, First Nations people, and industry technology representatives from Denso (Japan), GreenPlus (South Korea) and Intelligent Growing Solutions (Scotland). Agriculture Victoria, Regional Development Victoria, Invest Victoria and the LVA have also participated.
At its recent meeting, the IWG elected to form a consortium to apply for funding for a feasibility study to identify partnerships, explore suitable locations in Gippsland, and determine the type of crops to pursue.
Based on the high level of interest, Steve Kim of GreenPlus invited members of the IWG to present the project concept to the Australia Korea Business Council recently. The feasibility study is the first step in the consortia collaborating to seek significant funding to implement findings and look to broader activities associated with a vertical farming facility.
For further information or to get involved, please contact Amanda Gould at Food and Fibre Gippsland who is coordinating the project.
E: amanda.gould@foodandfibregippsland.com.au
M:0474 500 380.
Pictured L-R: Elise Erwin RDV, Jeanie Hall LVA on behalf of Food and Fibre Gippsland, the Hon Martin Ferguson Chair AKBC, Liz Griffin CEO AKBC, Steve Kim, CEO GreenPlus Australia and Jenny Fan AKBC.