Professor Phil Brown is passionate about research and horticulture. Luckily for Bundaberg, he has been appointed to lead a research team to support the development of tropical vegetable industries in the region.

Staff from CQUniversity and DEEDI (Department of Employment, Economic Development & Innovation - formerly Primary Industries & Fisheries) officially welcomed Professor Brown at a social function recently. Professor Phillip Clift from CQUniversity hosted the event at Bundaberg Campus.

Phillip Clift (CQUniversity), John Chapman (DEEDI), Phil Ainsworth (campus advisory committee chairman), Phil Brown (Research Leader, Vegetable Crop Science) and Paul Neville (MP)

Professor Brown will speak at CQUniversity's ResearchExpo event

at Bundaberg Campus from 6pm on Tuesday, 13 April. Phone 4150 7177 to register.

Professor Brown's appointment to the joint position of Professor of Horticultural Science and Research Leader, Vegetable Crop Science represents a bold new approach between CQUniversity and DEEDI.

With horticulture now a key economic driver of the Bundaberg region, worth over $400 million per annum (and a key part of this is vegetable production valued at $300 million), it's no surprise that the appointment has been well received.

What this means for farmers and for the community is an increase in support from CQUniversity and the Queensland Government for horticultural industries.

Professor Brown will work with DEEDI staff on research, development and extension programs aimed at increasing productivity and ensuring sustainability of the vegetable industry in the Bundaberg region.

Phil Brown (Research Leader, Vegetable Crop Science), Mike Moller (Dept Tourism), Garry Fullelove (DEEDI), John Chapman (DEEDI)

"The partnership will bring together a bigger pool of expertise and promote collaboration between scientists locally, nationally and internationally," he said.

Professor Brown plans to work closely with the local industry association, Bundaberg Fruit and Vegetable Growers, and with local farmers to ensure the research activity addresses issues that are important to the vegetable industry.

He has been given a fairly substantial brief, but in addition to supporting the work of other researchers in the group he aims to development his own research interests in vegetable crop agronomy.

The new arrival has worked extensively with temperate climate vegetable crops, but is now looking forward to applying his crop science knowledge to the broad range of vegetable crops grown in the Bundaberg region.

"The Department and CQUniversity are focused on research directions that will deliver major competitive improvements to vegetable production in Bundaberg.  Constant improvement is essential if this powerhouse of industry is to remain competitive," said John Chapman, General Manager Horticulture and Forestry Science.