RD&E Coordination

Avocados Australia (AAL) strives to ensure that the avocado research, development and extension (RD&E) program is well coordinated, responsive to industry needs and delivers on industry expectations. One of the ways we do this is through the Avocado industry RD&E Coordinator project (AV22012) that funds AAL’s RD&E Coordinator role.

The avocado R&D levy investment is significant and straddles many portfolios within Hort Innovation, in line with the Avocado Strategic Investment Plan 2022-2026. Through this role AAL can have further impact on, and improve, R&D network coordination, ensure the delivery of “fit-for-purpose” R&D products, ensure better research resource use efficiencies and faster realisations of R&D outcomes. This role also supports the extension of avocado R&D to industry.

Avocado Industry Extension

The planning and implementation of the extension of Australian avocado industry R&D is currently supported by the AAL RD&E Coordinator, the Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy (AAIES) and the Avocado industry development and extension project (AV23010).

The resources available below are recommended for project service providers to use, to assist the Australian avocado industry to attain its objectives for practice change across a range of priority areas.

The Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy 2023-27 (AAIES)

The Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy 2023-2027, has been developed to map out the priority extension strategies required to meet the challenges of the rapidly increased scale of production in Australia over the last decade.

The intention of the strategy is to provide a guide that offers direction and coordination for extension and training along the entire Australian avocado industry supply chain. It will enable resources and relationships to be better positioned to deliver on critical needs over the next 5 years.

AAIES (2023-2027) ‘On Track’ Assessment – 2025 Midpoint Review Draft Summary Report

This report provides ‘on-track’ assessments of practice change service objectives outlined in the Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy (AAIES) 2023-2027 – Transition to 2027. These summary assessments are a result of a strategy midpoint review conducted in August – September 2025.

Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy 2023-2027

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Extension Strategy Model & Glossary

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AAL Extension Planning Guide

AAL Extension Planning Guide

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This guide was developed following a key recommendation from extensive consultations during the creation of the Australian Avocado Industry Extension Strategy (AAIES) in 2022. The purpose of the guide is to add value to the project planning and design process, by encouraging thorough planning and alignment of extension activities in R&D proposals with the AAIES’s priority areas. Thereby increasing the quality of proposals submitted for consideration as industry investments.

Intended Users
The guide is primarily designed to be used by and to support service providers:
• Service Providers: To use as a resource when responding to RFPs to enhance project outcomes.
• RD&E Coordinator: To provide support to service providers using the guide.

The guide may also provide context to other stakeholders in the following ways:
• Process Owners: To consider when developing Investment Recommendations and
Request for Proposals (RFP).
• Evaluation Panels: To consider when evaluating project proposals.
• Existing Delivery Partners: To review and adjust the delivery of extension activities.

Avocado industry development and extension project (AV23010)


Avocado industry development and extension project (AV23010) seeks to inspire adoption of best practice in priority practice change areas identified and endorsed by growers and industry stakeholders during the Australian avocado industry development and extension project co-design workshop held in May 2023.

The focus areas include disease management, nutrition management, pest management, irregular and alternate bearing, irrigation management, and propagation practices.

The program aims to achieve participation from 60 per cent of all grower entities, representing more than 70 per cent of the total Australian avocado production.

The project team will employ various strategies to encourage adoption, including face-to-face events, masterclasses, practical workshops, technical content, and effective communication through a technical newsletter, the industry communications project and the Best Practice Resource website.

Keep up to date with all the events and activities of the AV23010 published fortnightly as part of industry’s Guacamole newsletter.

The six key regions and regional lead for annual grower events and regional networks are:

North Queensland (led by QLD DPI Mareeba)
Central Queensland (led by QLD DPI SEQ)
South Queensland (led by QLD DPI SEQ)
Central NSW (led by AHR)
Tristate NSW (led by NSW DPI)
Western Australia (South-West & Perth) (led by DPIRD)

The two face-to-face annual events that will be delivered in each of the regions include:

1. A practical ‘best practice workshop’ focused on delivering information on the identified priority practice change areas and is designed to cater to less experienced growers and staff. These workshops will prioritise key messages and adopt an informal approach to facilitate meaningful discussions and engagement.

2. A regional forum will focus on delivering grower-ready R&D outcomes in priority practice change areas. An industry update, provided by Avocados Australia staff or the regional director, will also be included in the agenda. These forums will be tailored for more experienced growers and staff.

The program will also deliver a host of other activities to support the development of the avocado industry.

For more information about the extension of Australian avocado research and development, please contact AAL RD&E Coordinator Mary Burton
RDE@avocado.org.au
0499 854 111
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Author: Anna Petrou
Date Published: 13/04/2022
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