Project Catalyst’s primary purpose is to reduce the environmental footprint that Australia’s sugarcane production has on water quality and the Great Barrier Reef by accelerating the evolution and adoption of low-risk farming practices in the sugar industry.

Project Catalyst focuses on the identification and validation of cutting-edge sugarcane farming practices in line with “triple bottom line” sustainability principles of producing greater social, environmental and economic value. A key focus for sustainability considerations is water quality improvement via the development and extension of new farm practices.

Project aims are two-fold.  Firstly, the project assists growers to generate new farm practices, which are more effective and efficient in relation to the use of external inputs and natural resources.  Secondly, the project promotes and support the uptake of these and other practices on farms across the Mackay Whitsunday, Burdekin, and Wet Tropics regions.  In combination, this approach assists the Queensland cane growing industry to minimise the impact of farming on natural assets whilst maximising farm sustainability, production, and profitability.

Project Catalyst Magazine 2017

Project Catalyst Magazine 2020