Boosting avocado industry leadership skills

The Australian tropical fruit industry is set to benefit from the Australian Government’s $5 million Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund.

Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Senator Anne Ruston, said the fund would provide $224,800 to the Australian Melon Association to develop leadership skills through an industry consortium.

“The Melon Association will work with Avocados Australia, Australian Banana Growers’ Council, Australian Lychee Growers Association, Australian Mango Industry Association, Passionfruit Australia, Persimmons Australia, Queensland Strawberries and GROWCOM as part of a consortium of organisations which will benefit from the LEAD program,” Minister Ruston said.

This funding will help a consortium of horticulture associations come together to establish a leadership program for 40 participants.

“The Leadership Exploration and Development (LEAD) program will include residential workshops, webinars and mentoring programs,” Minister Ruston said.

“It is wonderful to see iconic and emerging horticulture industries working together to make sure they have the leaders of today and tomorrow.”

Avocados Australia Chief Executive Officer John Tyas said horticultural industries needed both the current and next generation of industry leaders to lead through transitional and structural adjustments.

“One of the biggest barriers to building leadership skills is the cost of training and lack of available funds,” Mr Tyas said.

“Via this funding, seven future avocado industry leaders will be provided with the opportunity to develop relevant skills, network with government and other stakeholders, and increase their cross-industry knowledge.

“This leadership program will further increase collaboration between our industries as the program benefits from the existing networks and skills base of the Tropical Horticulture Group members.”

The successful applicants will take part in pre-program activities, residential workshops, a webinar program and mentoring. The project leader is Australian Melon Association Industry Development Manager Dianne Fullelove, supported by a steering committee with nine members from the consortium.

Acknowledgement
This Tropical Horticulture Group project has been funded by the Australian Government’s Leadership in Agricultural Industries Fund.

More information
Additional detail will be provided in early 2018, in the meantime, contact Lisa Yorkston at Avocados Australia on 07 3846 6566 if you are interested.

UPDATE: You can find out about the application process and program structure by clicking here.

 

This article appeared in the Summer 2018 edition of Talking Avocados.

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Date Published: 31/01/2018