Dr David Hadley of UNE Business School has recently delivered the findings of research into the Controlled Environment Horticulture (CEH) industry in NSW, particularly focusing on the potential for development. The feasibility study examined options for this industry, focusing on a growing trend towards large-scale, technologically complex, high-yielding and resource-efficient greenhouses.

The report was commissioned by NSW Department of Industry and funded through the Boosting Business Innovation Program’s UNE SMART Region Incubator. Dr Hadley’s findings make consideration of the potential for directing such resources towards a future of sustainable food production as well as growing employment opportunities in regional areas. Horticulture is Australia’s third largest agricultural sector; however, at this stage CEH contributes a relatively small proportion to these totals.

The delivery of the report has opened conversation within the Centre for Agribusiness and UNE Business School, with intentions to convene a Horticulture Roundtable with key stakeholders across the industry meeting with UNE researchers. The findings of Dr Hadley’s report will be central to discussion about how best to enable development of CEH in regional NSW.

The report in full can be found via the Centre for Agribusiness webpage.