AU: Fresh produce research and development changing direction
The move comes about as a result of good production and low demand during the Summer.
The Vegetable Industry Advisory Committee conducted surveys with growers who overwhelmingly stated that they wanted to see better returns and a reduction in the focus on pests and diseases.
Committee chair Jeff McSpedden says over the next three years, two thirds of the $45 million research funding will go into studying consumers and developing markets, and just one third will be spent on farm projects.
"When the consumer walks into the supermarket with $200 to spend, how do I get them to spend that money in the fruit and vegetable section?
"I mean, meat's 10 times dearer per kilo, but they still buy meat.
"So what do we have to do to change that thing? Is it the colour, the texture of the vegetables, make them sweeter?
"And that's where some of our R and D will go."
Source: abc.net.au
