Crop Concierge Queensland will extend the support available to growers through the state’s industry bodies by adding four dedicated specialist roles to advance productivity, innovation and business growth
Queensland Fruit & Vegetable Growers (QFVG) will lead a new statewide initiative to strengthen Queensland horticulture by connecting growers with specialist expertise, research and funding opportunities to advance productivity, innovation and business growth.
Crop Concierge Queensland will bring together QFVG, FNQ Growers, North Queensland Farmers (NQ Farmers) and Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers (BFVG), supporting the Queensland Government’s Prosper 2030 priorities and longer-term 2050 vision through practical outcomes for horticultural businesses.
Building on the established Farm Business Resilience Program (FBRP), Crop will extend the support available to growers by adding four dedicated specialist roles across AgTech, innovation and productivity; workforce, skills and capability; sustainability, biosecurity and resilience; and markets, value chains and business growth.
While FBRP provides a whole-of-business framework for growers to identify risks, priorities and opportunities, Crop will extend this work by providing more in-depth research, specialist connections and guidance to progress identified needs. This will give growers a pathway from recognising an opportunity to investigating solutions, identifying relevant funding and support, and working towards practical implementation.
QFVG CEO Scott Kompo-Harms said Queensland horticulture has significant opportunities to lift productivity, adopt new technologies, develop workforce capability and pursue new markets.
“Progressing these opportunities can require specialist knowledge and a detailed understanding of the programmes, funding and expertise available across government and industry,” he said.
“Crop will provide an extension to the Farm Business Resilience Program, giving growers access to dedicated specialist expertise to investigate opportunities, navigate funding pathways and progress solutions that can deliver tangible benefits to their businesses.
“Whether a grower is exploring new technology, addressing workforce challenges or investigating a business expansion, Crop will work to connect them with the relevant expertise and support to take the next steps.”
Three specialist roles will be delivered through regional grower groups, with one based at QFVG. Although regionally based, all four specialists will operate within a coordinated statewide framework, working across regional boundaries according to grower needs and their areas of expertise.
FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said the organisation welcomed the Queensland Government’s investment in Crop and the opportunity to work alongside QFVG and fellow regional grower groups to bring this support to growers.
“In Far North Queensland, biosecurity is an area which is vital to protecting our farms, local jobs and the communities that rely on horticulture,” Moro said.
“Crop will support grower access to specialist advice across a wide range of important ongoing business issues, while providing support to strengthen preparedness through practical on-farm measures to protect what they’ve worked hard to build.”
NQ Farmers CEO Jenn Honnery said horticulture has complex workforce needs. Growers rely on a combination of skilled, experienced employees to manage their businesses year-round, alongside access to a large and reliable seasonal workforce during critical harvest periods. Attracting, developing and retaining the right people is essential to the productivity and long-term sustainability of our industry.
“With labour representing one of the largest costs to horticultural businesses, there is significant value in helping growers strengthen their workforce planning, recruitment, supervision and retention practices,” Honnery said. “Having a dedicated specialist who understands the industry and can connect growers with existing training, employment and government support will help unlock opportunities that individual businesses may not otherwise have the time or resources to pursue.”
Bundaberg Fruit & Vegetable Growers CEO Bree Watson said Queensland’s horticulture industry is incredibly diverse, and what works for growers in one region may not work in another. That’s why having people on the ground who know their regions is so important.
“We’re pleased the Queensland Government recognises this and look forward to working alongside our industry colleagues to help growers make the most of new opportunities,” Watson said.
“BFVG is excited to deliver the Markets, Value Chains and Business Growth specialty, which is a natural fit for the Wide Bay Burnett region with its expanding horticultural production and business diversification. We look forward to sharing this expertise across Queensland to support growers in identifying new markets and business growth opportunities.”
Alongside its direct benefits for growers, Crop will build an evidence base on grower needs, program uptake, barriers and emerging priorities. This industry intelligence will inform future discussions between government and industry about program effectiveness, gaps in available support and opportunities for investment, further contributing to the long-term objectives of Prosper 2030 and the Queensland Government’s 2050 vision.
“By combining statewide coordination, specialist capability and strong regional relationships, Crop will strengthen the connection between Queensland growers and the opportunities available to advance their businesses,” Kompo-Harms said.
“This is about turning identified needs and opportunities into practical action for growers, while giving government and industry a clearer understanding of what Queensland horticulture needs to remain productive, competitive and resilient.”
