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RSS FeedAbout the AHGA
Industry OverviewThe Australian Hydroponic and Greenhouse Industry is the fastest growing food producing sector in Australia, valued at around $1.8 billion at the farm gate per annum. This is equivalent to 20% of the value of total vegetable and cut flower production in Australia (RIRDC report HSA-9A). It is estimated that more than 10,000 people are employed directly in greenhouse horticulture throughout Australia, with the industry expanding at between 4-6% per annum. The average return on investment is between 5% and 10%. The potential return on investment for high technology greenhouse vegetable enterprises is around 20-25% per annum. The Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association (AHGA) is the peak industry body representing commercial hydroponic and greenhouse growers Australia wide. AHGA members also include equipment and installation suppliers, specialist consultants and advisors, researchers and educators. Hydroponics is the production of crops in isolation from the soil, either with or without a medium, with their total water and nutrient requirements supplied by the system. Production takes place either in a greenhouse or outdoors and systems can recirculate or allow nutrients to "free drain" for reuse on other crops (eg. trees, pasture improvement, etc). The industry is highly efficient in its use of inputs including water, fertilisers, labour, land and energy. Hydroponics and greenhouse technology has emerged as a commercial alternative to soil-based production. Significant crops include tomatoes, cucumbers, capsicum, lettuce, strawberries, Mediterranean and Asian herbs, Asian greens, Asiatic and Oriental lilies and cut flowers such as roses, gerberas, carnations, lisianthus and chrysanthemums. Successful commercial production is undertaken by families producing for boutique markets, families as part of a larger growing and marketing cooperative and by corporates with investors who are not active in day-to-day management. The industry is capital intensive and capital costs are anywhere between $100 and $300 plus per square metre, depending on the sophistication of the greenhouse and the level of equipment being included. Viable production units are a minimum of 1,500 square metres. Commercial success is linked to:
AHGA HistoryThe forerunner of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association (AHGA), the Australian Hydroponic Association (AHA), was formed in August 1990 following two successful South Pacific Hydroponic Conferences held at Surfers Paradise, Queensland. Since then, the biennial industry conferences and trade exhibitions have been held in:
Today, the AHGA is recognised as the industry's peak national body representing its grower members to government, technical agencies and other industry groups. In addition to producing a newsletter, Soilless Australia, to distribute information on current industry issues and events, the AHGA has helped fund important research and development projects including:
Other AHGA initiatives include support of accurate branding of hydroponic produce, and organising grower workshops facilitated by national and international industry experts. AHGA ObjectivesThe key objectives of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association are:
Membership InformationMembership to the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association is available to individuals only and not companies, businesses, etc. Those eligible for membership are:
Membership Terms & Conditions
Go to: Membership Application Membership BenefitsThe Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association offers the following benefits to its members:
Go to: Membership Application Affiliated MembersIndividual growers belonging to State-based or crop-specific grower groups are eligible to apply for an Affiliate Membership to the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association at a discount price. Growers belonging to the following grower organisations are Affiliate members of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association: Hydroponic Farmers Federation of Victoria (HFF) For further information about Affiliate membership contact the AHGA Administrator.
Executive CommitteeThe Executive Committee of the Australian Hydroponic & Greenhouse Association consists of a President, Vice-President, and six committee members. They are nominated and elected annually. Voting for all elections occurs at the Annual General Meeting (AGM). The appointed Administrator and the Newsletter Editor have non-voting positions on the Executive Committee. AHGA Committee Contact Details 2008/09
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