Temperate Fruits Development Officer to help grow industry

15 Sep 2016

NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) Director General, Scott Hansen today announced Adam Coleman had been appointed as the second NSW Temperate Fruit Development Officer.

Mr Hansen said Mr Coleman will work with the apple and cherry industries to identify and create export opportunities.

“I am pleased to welcome Mr Coleman to DPI, where he will work closely with industry stakeholders and develop collaborative research products and packages that enhance the profitability and sustainability of the apple and cherry industries,” Mr Hansen said.

The NSW Temperate Fruit Development Officer’s position was created after ongoing dialogue with NSW Farmers and the industry.

NSW Farmers Horticulture Committee Chair, Brett Guthrey said DPI and the apple and cherry industries have a long and productive history of working together.

“The creation of this position is another step towards a bright future for fruit growers in NSW,” Mr Guthrey said.

“Placing an industry development officer in Orange in the heart of the state’s apple and cherry growing areas will better equip DPI to work with growers to define the research needs of industry, driving the science that will directly benefit growers in NSW and the adoption of on-farm practice that will improve productivity and profitability.”

Mr Coleman has extensive experience in the agriculture industry. He has previous worked for Cotton Australia and other leading farmer groups as well as running a family mixed farming enterprise.

Mr Coleman said the apple and cherry industries are important to the regions they operate in and to consumers.

“I am looking forward to engaging with producers and industry stakeholders to grow and develop their businesses,” Mr Coleman said.

Mr Coleman’s first job will be to lead a project aiming to develop airfreight protocols for cherries.

The project funded by the Australian Government’s Packages to Assistance Small Exporters program, will be based on the monitoring for seasonal absence of Queensland fruit fly in the growing season and will use radiation as a final measure for fruit phytosanitation.

Media contact: Jamie Jones, 6391 3686