Pest READI: Regionally-Enabled Agroecological Decision Intelligence 

 

Thank you for visiting the Pest READI research project page. Please CLICK HERE if you’re interested in getting involved, or finding out more about our exciting work.

What is Pest READI?

In regional areas, growers often find themselves geographically isolated or bound by siloed networks. This fragmentation, coupled with complex mosaic of farms and industries, underscores the importance of unified action. As we navigate towards sustainable practices, the push for reduced chemical use and increased reliance on non-chemical management options necessitates informed decision-making.  

However, the journey is not without its hurdles. Events such as COVID-19, flooding, and pest incursions have tested the resolve of farmers and impacted both production and sales. Yet, amidst these challenges, a spirit of innovation and collaboration persists. 

Pest READI recognizes the critical role of communication and cooperation in ensuring the prosperity of farming communities. The project aims to create healthy, abundant landscapes by transforming the way communities work together to manage plant pests.  Over this 5-year project we will integrate past, present and future knowledge into a digital platform that is co-designed with stakeholders in the Northern Rivers (Bundjalung Nation) in NSW and connects decision making across landscapes.  The outcomes will be tools for scenario-based decision support for area-wide integrated pest management (AW-IPM). 

Pest READI: ‘Regionally Enabled Agroecological Decision Intelligence’ is funded through the Hort Frontiers strategic partnership initiative developed by Hort Innovation, with co-investment from CSIRO’s ‘Catalysing Australia’s Biosecurity’ initiative and contributions from the Australian Government.

More information about this exciting project soon.