SHIFt
Consulting for new industry investment plans
Hort Innovation launches a refreshed approach to shape the future of horticulture investment planning.
When setting investment plans for Australia’s third-largest agricultural sector—worth $17 billion annually—Hort Innovation’s General Manager for Industry Services, Andrew Francey, asked a simple question: What can we do to help the sector thrive in 2026 and beyond?
The feedback from industry was clear:
- Make it easier to access information about performance and investments.
- Ensure long-term plans are flexible and responsive to changing conditions.
In response, Hort Innovation has adopted a best-in-class consultation approach to inform the development of a new digital investment planning and reporting system. At its core will be industry-specific digital dashboards, designed to make it easier for growers and stakeholders to track levy-funded projects and their impact.
Where are we now?
We’re officially engaging with 37 horticulture industries to shape the next generation of investment plans. From now until March 2026, Industry Service Managers (ISMs) are consulting with PIBs, SIAPs, and growers to review current Strategic Investment Plans (SIPs) and identify priorities for the future.
This stage introduces a new way of thinking: fewer, clearer objectives and initiatives that can be reviewed annually—not a static five-year list.
ISMs are using multiple engagement tools, including online surveys (accessible via QR codes), translated versions for non-English-speaking growers, and face-to-face discussions at conferences, AGMs, and industry events.
Industry feedback is captured via a prioritisation spreadsheet, creating transparency and an audit trail.
By enabling annual investment plan ‘health checks’, it will give growers and stakeholders dynamic insights to adapt to changing conditions
What’s coming up?
Once consultation wraps up, Stage 2 begins. The team will convert industry outputs into a consistent list of objectives and initiatives—a critical step for building the digital dashboard.
Finally, Stage 3 focuses on validation and sign-off. ISMs will present the refined investment list to industry and key growers for final approval. This stage is about confirming and signing off on the priorities.
The end goal
The new Hort Innovation investment planning approach and digital dashboard will transform how we manage and monitor industry investments. By enabling annual investment plan ‘health checks’, it will give growers and stakeholders dynamic insights to adapt to changing conditions. This is a major step toward transparency, simplicity, and better decision-making for all industries.
At Hort Innovation, everything we do is built on our vision to create a prosperous and sustainable Australian horticulture industry built on innovation.
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