Summary

The project will conduct a stock take of tropical exotic fruit trees in Australia. Particular reference will be made to gaining accurate numbers of trees in the Wet Tropics of north Queensland and production areas in the monsoonal tropics of the Northern Territory. In Queensland the post cyclone Larry survey will assess the level of damage and quantify the surviving stock of trees and the amount of replanting that has occurred since the cyclone. The stock take will allow the industry to determine their major crops and to predict production levels and industry value for the coming years. The project will also assist the Tropical Exotic Fruit Industries to upgrade their individual crop strategic plans (durian, mangosteen and rambutan) and to develop an overall plan to assist TEFA “direction setting” for research, development and marketing priorities.

Program

New and Emerging Plant Industries

Research Organisation

OLD ABN-The State Of Queensland Acting Through The Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation

Objective Summary

The project objectives are to assist the Tropical Exotic fruit industry to develop a data base of tree numbers and an estimate of industry value and which exotic fruits are at the forefront of commercialisation.

A specific objective of the project will be to develop a cyclone risk strategy which will include aspects of crop agronmy, diversification and also growing location. Both major growing areas are subject to the incidence of severe cyclones which can have a significant effect on production.

The information gained aboove will be used to develop an overarching industry strategic plan which can be used to direct research, development and extension activities for the next five years.

The strategic plan will also be of significant value to industry development partners in federal and state research and development agencies.