FEATURE RDO update

Over the past few months, vegetablesWA Regional Development Officer (RDO) Chi Nguyen has been visiting growers across Perth’s North and South Metro areas, Gingin, Geraldton, and Carnarvon. These visits focus on providing growers with advice, resources, and training to help improve farm productivity and meet industry requirements.

Words Chi Nguyen, Regional Development Officer, vegetablesWA

Bilingual chemical training a hit with growers

IN March 2025, Chi Nguyen, along with vegNet WA RDO, Katrina Hill and Berries WA IDO, Helen Newman, organised two accredited bilingual chemical training sessions in Perth and Carnarvon. Funded by the vegNet Innovation Fund, the sessions, led by Mark Pullin and Vy Pham from VegEducation, attracted 28 participants who gained valuable knowledge on the safe and effective use of agricultural chemicals.

The bilingual format ensured everyone could follow along, helping to overcome language and cultural barriers. With demand still high, more sessions are planned for later this year.

There is also growing interest in training for forklift licensing, Work Health and Safety (WHS), and farm worker inductions. However, access to accredited training in growers’ first languages remains limited, particularly in areas such as food safety, quality management, and meeting market access requirements.

Connecting with growers in Carnarvon and Geraldton

In March, the RDO joined the vegetablesWA team at the Carnarvon Growers Association Field Day. He spoke at the Industry Forum, sharing updates on key activities delivered in Carnarvon over the past two years. These included a waste management survey and awareness education, a biosecurity and chemical use workshop, and guidance on food safety standards and compliance.

In-class training with trainers Mark Pullin and Vy Pham from VegEducation.

VegetablesWA at GNRS Spray Info Day.

VegetablesWA at Carnarvon Field Day.

Earlier, in February 2025, Chi represented vegetablesWA at the Great Northern Rural Services Spray Info Day in Geraldton. Held just before the growing season, the event provided updates on soil fumigation, pest and disease control, seedling varieties, drone spraying, and resistance management. Geraldton is shifting towards medium-tech protected cropping systems, with strong potential to become a major winter cucumber-growing hub.

Supporting food safety and water efficiency

The RDO has supported the Department of Health by reviewing translated versions of Food Safety Standard Registration and Notification forms for leafy vegetables, melons, and berries. Collaboration with local shires has also continued to help growers implement the new food safety standards on-farm.

Chi continues to update growers on the Gnangara Horticulture Water Use Efficiency Grants Program, helping them access information and apply for funding to improve irrigation and water management on their farms.

Grower survey coming soon

In the coming weeks, you will receive an invitation to take part in an online survey, part of a three-year extension project funded by the Agricultural Produce Commission — Vegetable Fee for Service. The survey will help identify both current and emerging needs of WA growers.

The insights gathered will guide future extension activities, strengthen R&D priorities, attract more investment into the WA vegetable industry, and inform vegetablesWA’s next strategic plan. All input is welcome and valued.

Let’s keep the conversation going

vegetablesWA is here to support you. We are always happy to visit your farm, listen to your ideas, and assist, whether with training, funding, pest control, or business support.