New tech makes biosecurity responses easier for fruit growers

Added on 26 February 2025

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New tech makes biosecurity responses easier for fruit growers

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SYDNEY, Australia - A new $1.7 million mapping initiative is expected to change how fruit growers will soon respond to biosecurity threats. Drawing on citizen science by asking apricot, cherry, dried fruit, lychee, nectarine, peach and plum producers to log location data through an app, this technology could help protect Australian fruit from pests and disease.

The aim of mapping the location data is to safeguard the industries by allowing first responders and authorities to quickly plan protection zones during pest and disease incursions.

Delivered through Hort Innovation and led by the University of New England’s (UNE) Applied Agricultural Remote Sensing Centre (AARSC) in partnership with Future Food Systems CRC, the new tool marks an expansion of the Australian Tree Crop Map – a map which services eight tree crop industries and also boasts market access, traceability, yield forecasting, carbon storage, regeneration, and drought resilience applications.