Growing demand for tropical indoor plants allows FNQ workforce to double

Russgo’s Wholesale Plants in Mareeba will increase production and supply of tropical indoor plants by close to 300% when they build half an acre of infrastructure capable of ensuring early and efficient supply of in-demand stock.

Russgo’s Wholesale Plants was one of 15 businesses to receive a co-contribution grant of up to $250,0000 under Round Three of the Rural Economic Development (RED) Grant program administered by the Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA).

Director Russell James, a seventh-generation nurseryman, said the project included a half an acre multi span greenhouse and infrastructure to minimise exposure to the elements and greater environmental controls which would enable faster production times and extended growing seasons.

“It will ensure early supply of stock into the marketplace, especially in spring which has historically been and will continue to be in high demand,” Mr James said.

“Increased production will also assist in meeting the higher supply demands from existing customers and provide opportunities to investigate new markets.”

The project will support 12 regional agriculture jobs, another four during construction as well as five indirect jobs.

“Adding nurseryman to our current workforce will enable defined job roles, ultimately giving us higher skills levels and quicker production times in all areas including inbound logistics, potting and laying out, weed and infrastructure management, stock controls, picking and sorting and outbound logistics,” Mr James said.

“By essentially doubling our workforce through this project, our organisation as a whole will be exponentially more efficient throughout our entire operation.”

Mr James said demand for indoor plants had increased by more than 300% in the last five years and the industry was yet to reach market capacity.

“This project will see our site production increase by close to 300%, meeting additional consumer requirements and providing opportunities to explore other sales avenues,” he said.

The Rural Economic Development (RED) Grants program offers emerging projects up to $250,000 in co-contributions to build industry and grow employment opportunities across the agricultural sector. The $10 million grants program provides for three funding rounds over a three-year period ending 2021.

A total of 15 businesses have received $3.14 million under the third round of funding for the RED Grants program. Overall, these projects are expected to create more than 600 jobs across the agricultural sector in regional Queensland.

Across the three rounds of the RED Grant program, a total of 43 agricultural businesses have received funding toward economic development projects worth $40.8 million and estimated to create 1,897 new direct and indirect jobs over the lifetime of these projects

QRIDA offers a range of assistance to primary producers, small business and non-profit organisations. To find out what’s available visit Programs and Services.

The Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) administer the RED Grant scheme on behalf of the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries.