Mitchell McNab, from Ardmona in Victoria, received a Nuffield Scholarship supported by Horticulture Innovation Australia, using voluntary contributions from industry and matched funds from the Australian Government.
He will investigate innovative robotics technology for the horticultural sector, with a particular focus on implementation in fruit growing and packing operations.
Mitchell is a fifth generation orchardist and manages his family’s H.V. McNab & Sons orchard and cold storage complex. Their 64-hectare orchard is planted to six pear varieties, five apple varieties and plums and produces more than 2800 tonnes of fruit annually.
Mitchell says historically the focus of the business has been on growing fruit for processing, but the emphasis is now firmly on fresh fruit supply and packing for domestic and overseas markets.
Mitchell's Nuffiend Scholarship presentation is available for download below.
