A BARE 60-hectare block at Loxton will become the site of world-leading research, potentially bringing millions to the SA economy.
A partnership between the state government and the almond industry will transform this block into an experimental orchard, used by the Loxton-based Centre of Excellence for the Australian Almond Industry.
The acquisition of the land and $4 million in funding helped secure the establishment of the Centre of Excellence and relocation of the Almond Board of Australia to SA.
ABA chair Ross Skinner said the almond industry had grown six-fold in the past decade, with expectations to expand by 50 per cent in the next three years.
He said the agreement more than doubled the research capacity of the industry to almost $7m.
“This will keep the Australian almond industry at the forefront of the almond industry worldwide,” he said.
Almonds are SA’s most valuable horticultural export, worth $146m, with 85pc of production in the Riverland.
SARDI research scientist Mark Skewes said some of the early planned trials include research into varieties, pest management and water-use efficiency, as well as a major focus on plant density for almond trees.
Horizon one, is based on the industry practice of 7.14 metres by 4.5m, while horizon two, is the present cutting edge set-up of 6.25m by 3m.
Horizon three will have very close spacings of 4.16m by 1.5m. This has not previously been attempted in Australia, or in any large-scale production systems worldwide.
Centre of Excellence chair Brendon Sidhu said the site would allow the industry to push boundaries.
Plantings are expected to begin by August.