A project to establish tree-survival signatures for water stress in orchards is one of only five nationally to receive funding in Round 2 of the Future Drought Fund (FDF) Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Program.

Through extensive research, the Victoria Drought Resilience Adoption & Innovation Hub (Vic Hub) project will develop guidelines and tools to help Australia’s $16.3 billion horticulture industry better manage drought conditions.

Dr Sara Hely, Director of the Vic Hub, which is supported by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund, says the $7.8 million project will focus on monitoring orchards for productivity impacts under different water-stress scenarios in almond, pear and summer-fruit tree crops.

The project will run until 2029-30.

“FDF received more than 100 applications nationally for this highly competitive round,” Sara says.

“To be selected as one of only five highlights the importance of this project for Victorian horticulture and underscores the Vic Hub’s role in drought-preparedness and drought-resilience research,” she says.

Led by The University of Melbourne, the project brings together three other Vic Hub partners – Federation University (as the digital platforms innovations lead), Agriculture Victoria and the Mallee Regional Innovation Centre (MRIC, as the northwest irrigated horticulture node lead). AgVic and MRIC are also facilitating direct peak body and grower engagement.

MRIC chef executive Rebecca Wells says the critical work will be done hand in hand with industry, providing growers with key information for future decision making when faced with drought.

“When we think about the future of horticulture and the many possibilities for how it could look, considering changes to climate, policy, market and more, there is likely to be new knowledge required in terms of how crops are managed and handled, particularly in relation to drought,” Rebecca says.

“This project may be able to give industry some assurance around measures or steps that can be taken under those conditions,” she says.

“The centre is looking forward to working with researchers at The University of Melbourne, Agriculture Victoria and Federation University, and particularly with Agriculture Victoria to connect industry to the research.”

Sara says Australian growers facing drought are looking for better ways to make decisions.

“The FDF is backing grant recipients to test new farming approaches designed to strengthen drought resilience,” Sara explains.

“By generating solid evidence, we can give growers the knowledge and confidence to try these practices on their own farms,” she says.

“I could not be prouder – this is a huge achievement for our Hub. This funding recognises the strength of our collaborative approach and our commitment to delivering real outcomes for farmers and the horticulture industry.”

About the LTT program

The Long-term Trials of Drought Resilient Farming Practices Grants Program funds projects which investigate innovative farming techniques through science-based long-term trials, building drought and climate resilience for Australian farmers.

In Round 2, the program supports a broader range of agricultural industries, including horticulture crops, cereal, other broadacre crops and livestock.

A total of $39,680,949 (ex GST) has been awarded to five successful applicants and their consortiums, with projects running from 2025 to 2030.

Grants of up to $8 million per project have been awarded to consortia working closely with farmers across diverse landscapes and production systems.

The other four projects were awarded to consortia led by CSIRO, Charles Sturt University, Department of Regional NSW and The University of Adelaide.

To keep up to date, sign up to the Vic Hub newsletter: https://vicdroughthub.org.au