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Industry Development Services
Further development of the Australian Dried Fruits Industry is a major objective of the ADFA.
The ADFA employs an Industry Development Officer to manage the Drying for Profit
Program and provide services to dried fruit grower members.
The Industry Development Programs prime objective is to raise the quality of dried fruit
production, by existing growers and potential new entrants to the dried fruit industry, to enable
Australia to compete at the premium end of domestic and export markets, by:
- Providing the latest research findings & technical information and information relating
to world's best practice
- Promoting benefits associated with new varieties, mechanisation & trellis drying
(improved risk management)
- Encouraging sustainable management practices on dried fruit properties, particularly relating
to water, fertiliser & chemical usage.
Guidance for the Program is provided by an industry based Drying For Profit Committee.
Members include ADFA, Horticulture Australia, Riverlink and both major processors.
Services to grower members include:
- Responding to general viticulture management & technical enquiries
- Establishing grower groups to help extend essential quality messages to growers
- Encouraging improved risk management by growers
- Encouraging the planting of new varieties of higher value in terms of market demand, yields,
resistance to rain damage, mould & toxic by-products and which suit mechanisation
- Encouraging grower participation in the Dried Grape Approved Supplier Program
- Arranging training courses such as trellis drying short courses, which offer benefits to growers
in terms of improved quality, risk management & reduced costs.
- Working with processors and best grower managers to identify and promote quality production
techniques and practices
- Organising regular grower visits to dried fruit processing facilities to promote quality messages
& awareness of processor requirements
- Running field days for demonstration purposes, grower groups & similar forums to develop
grower skills & knowledge base and gain feedback from growers
- Encouraging grower use of the industry spray diary and Dried Vine Fruits Quality Production Manual
- Coordinating implementation of the strategic "disaster" plan in event of adverse weather conditions during harvest
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