We’re thrilled to announce the official launch of the ARC Research Hub for Protected Cropping (PC Hub), a new initiative bringing together over 20 researchers and 10 industry partners in a 5-year collaboration to transform protected horticulture in Australia.
Building on Success
The PC Hub builds on the strong foundation laid by two key programs:
The ARC Research Hub for Medicinal Agriculture (MedAg Hub), which pioneered research into cultivating medical cannabis under controlled environmental conditions, and
The Next Gen Regional Research Collaboration Program, which focused on training and research for next-generation protected cropping systems in regional areas.
Together, these initiatives delivered valuable insights into optimising crop yield and quality under protected conditions — knowledge that now underpins the PC Hub’s expanded mission.
“We’ve gained valuable insights into how to optimise crop growth and accelerate production cycles. We’re now expanding our research focus and applying this expertise to high-value horticultural products.”
— Prof. Tony Bacic, Director, PC Hub
Growing Together: Long-Term and New Partners
Our Hub continues to collaborate with long-standing partners such as Cann Group, Spex AI, Bioplatforms Australia, Photon Systems Instruments, the University of Melbourne, and the Olivia Newton-John Cancer Research Institute.
We’re also excited to welcome new partners, expanding the breadth of expertise and impact: The Florey, Kensana Health, and Gaia Project Australia.
These partnerships ensure that our research remains grounded in real-world needs, co-created with those at the forefront of industry. Our collaborative model enables direct translation of innovation into improved practices and products for growers and producers.
The PC Hub takes a holistic approach to enhancing every stage of the protected cropping process. Our new research priorities include:
Digital agriculture and machine learning
Optimising plant growth conditions
Shortening crop production cycles
Accelerated breeding programs
Biosecurity and disease management
Plant waste valorisation
Evaluation of plant bioactives
These focus areas reflect our commitment to delivering cutting-edge science, industry-relevant outcomes, and sustainable agricultural solutions.
Stay tuned for updates on our research, industry collaborations, and opportunities to engage with the PC Hub. 🔗 Follow us on LinkedIn to stay connected!
