Ep 48: Ditching the agchem? Growing with A Lighter Touch with Livia Esterhazy

Our horticulture industry reached a new milestone this year - nearly $8.5 BILLION in exports. An impressive feat considering a decade ago the sector had a major problem on its hands. Resistance. The sector's response? Lean in. With consumers wanting sustainably grown food free from as many ag-chem products as possible, and willing to pay a premium, the industry decided collaboration would be a better idea. Working across horticulture, arable and wine, a new programme was created to support growers as they shifted away from agri-chemicals to biologicals and integrated pest management. Together, they created 'A Lighter Touch' programme - a seven-year, $27 million programme funded by government and industry. Now, five years in, A Lighter Touch is seeing incredible results. Joining the conversation is Programme Director Livia Esterhazy.