The University of Western Sydney (UWS) and Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) have announced a joint project to build a high-tech, multimillion dollar greenhouse to aid the industry in rising above increasing water and energy supply constraints. 

The facility will be constructed on the university's Hawkesbury Campus at a total cost of AUS$3.3 million (US$3.1 million). Building work is set to begin in December with the first plantings scheduled for September 2015.

The initial focus will be on tomatoes but later research will look at other crops based on industry consultation like peppers, eggplant, lettuce and strawberries.

HAL research and development general manager David Moore said the greenhouse facility was a big step forward for the horticulture industry.

"The greenhouse research facility will enable unprecedented control of temperature, humidity, CO2 and light to deliver higher productivity while lowering energy and water inputs," Moore said in a release.

"Given that the nearest known equivalent greenhouse research facility is located in The Netherlands, with the Wageningen University Research Greenhouse Horticulture Research Institute, the new facility fills a significant research and education gap in Australian horticulture."

UWS sustainable agriculture chair professor Bill Bellotti said the greenhouse fitted perfectly with the university's new focus on peri-urban horticulture.

"Greenhouse crop production is expanding in Australia to meet the increased demand for fresh food that can be delivered quickly to markets. The new facilities at UWS will help growers tap into the latest research and practices to make their operations more efficient," Bellotti said.

"The project will combine the world-class plant science expertise at UWS with cutting-edge greenhouse technology from Wageningen University."

A special feature of the facility will be the provision for interchangeable greenhouse covering materials, allowing  for the manipulation of plant growth and energy balance.

Completely closed greenhouse systems will also facilitate research into the effects of high humidity and CO2 on plant growth and water and energy use.

While the research program will generate new management practices and technologies, a training and education center to be established as part of the project will assist the industry in building a future skilled workforce.

"The lack of human resources is a major issue for the sector as the number of students enrolling in horticulture falls and the number of universities offering programs of study or even individual subjects in horticulture continues to decline," Moore said.

"This project will help us to overcome this challenge, building clear synergies between research and education.

"The University of Western Sydney has shown a high level of foresight in investing in this project to bring it to fruition and should be congratulated for this."

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