Future Horticulture Forum

Wednesday 26 February 2025
9:30am – 3:00pm
| Pacific Bay Resort

View program

Western Sydney University, in collaboration with For Food Sake, invites you to the Future Horticulture Forum – an exciting event designed to showcase the latest research and innovation shaping the future of Australia’s horticultural and farming sectors.

This forum brings together leading academics, industry innovators, and key stakeholders to explore transformative advancements in the horticultural industry. Attendees will gain valuable insights into cutting-edge topics, including:

  • Smart glass technology for enhanced crop environments
  • Innovations in crop monitoring and microbiomes
  • Automation and precision mapping systems redefining farming practices
  • Strategies for a sustainable and efficient future in horticulture

The program will feature keynote presentations, panel discussions, and networking opportunities with experts and peers. Additionally, project posters will be displayed throughout the day, offering a closer look at pioneering research and its real-world applications.

Why attend?

This forum is an invaluable opportunity to stay informed about emerging trends, connect with industry leaders, and discover solutions to advance sustainability and productivity in horticulture.

Admission Details:

Admission to the forum is included with your For Food Sake tickets or can be purchased separately for a low fee for day-only access.

We look forward to welcoming growers, researchers, entrepreneurs, and industry professionals to this impactful event.

For further details and registration information, stay tuned to our upcoming announcements.

Program

Wednesday 26 February 2025

9:30 am

Welcome

Dr James Krahe, CEO, FFS – 5 mins

Dist. Prof. David Tissue, Hawkesbury Institute for the Environment, WSU | Program 2 Lead, FFS – 5 mins

9:40 am

Smart glass

Dr Sachin Chavan, WSU – 5 mins

Hasan Uz Zaman Raihan (PhD student), WSU – 5 mins

Md Hasan Sofiur Rahman (PhD student), WSU – 5 mins

Dist. Prof. Baohua Jia, RMIT – 10 mins

Frank Yao, Innofocus Photonics Technology – 10 mins

Chris Wilkins, LLEAF – 10 mins

Steve Kim, GreenPlus – 5 mins

10:30 am

Morning tea / Networking

11:00 am

Environment control

Dr Onoriode Coast, UNE – 15 mins

Joy Ojo (PhD student), UNE – 5 mins

Pratima Rana Shahi (PhD student), UNE – 5 mins

11:25 am

Crop monitoring

Prof. Oula Ghannoum, WSU – 10 mins

Kai Zhao (PhD student), WSU – 5 mins

Varna Murali (PhD student), WSU – 5 mins

Mark Cardamis (PhD student), UNSW – 5 mins

11:50 am

Microbiomes

Dr Kay Howard, Murdoch University – 10 mins

Dr Kim Tilbrook, Ecogrowth – 10 mins

Sumitra Saha (PhD student), Murdoch University – 5 mins

David Doepel, Murdoch University – 10 mins

12:30 pm

Mapping systems

Craig Shephard, AARSC at UNE – 10 mins

Leoni Kojetin, Aust Macadamias – 10 mins

Dr Rajendra Shilpakar, Greater Sydney Local Land Services – 10 mins

1:00 pm

Lunch / Networking

2:00 pm

Future horticulture (Panel)

Dr James Krahe (Chair), FFS

Prof. Zhonghua Chen, WSU

Craig Shephard, UNE

Dr Onoriode Coast, UNE

Dist. Prof. David Tissue, WSU

Supporting partner