Last week, Ironwood Institute was proud to take part in the Protected Cropping Australia (PCA) Conference 2025, held at the Adelaide Convention Centre — a national gathering of growers, researchers, and industry leaders committed to advancing sustainable horticulture.
🎤 Building a Future-Ready Workforce
Our CEO, Mr. Navtej Bal, delivered a keynote presentation titled:“Skilling the Way to Labour Efficiency – Building a Future-Ready, Skilled Horticulture Workforce.”He emphasised the urgent need for specialised training to meet the evolving demands of the protected cropping industry, and shared how Ironwood’s practical, industry-aligned programs are preparing students for high-skill, high-demand roles in horticulture across Australia.
🤖 Research Spotlight: AI and AgTech in Protected HorticultureIronwood’s Head of Horticulture, Dr. Kalyanasundaram Dhanagopalan, together with Dr. Shahid Md Shahiduzzaman from the University of New England (UNE), co-presented findings from our collaborative research project:“Artificial Intelligence and AgTech in Protected Horticulture”
The presentation explored how emerging technologies such as AI, robotics, and data systems are transforming protected cropping systems — and how education, training, and research must evolve to support this shift. From labour efficiency to climate-smart solutions, the session reinforced Ironwood’s role in shaping a tech-ready horticulture workforce.
🌍 A Vision for Sustainable Food FuturesWe thank PCA and the broader horticulture community for hosting such a vibrant, solutions-focused event. Our team returned inspired by the innovation on display and the new connections forged.
At Ironwood, we remain committed to:
• Supporting sustainable food production
• Bridging education and industry
• Empowering our students to lead in tomorrow’s green economy
