Sustainable Horticulture

Rural Solutions SA provides specialised horticultural advice throughout South Australia. We have a large and diverse team of country-based staff that provides:

  • support to regional development initiatives
  • programmes which assist horticultural industries to become more competitive in the international market.
  • leadership in sustainable agricultural systems
  • services which promote innovation in horticulture
  • support to the horticultural industries "Quality" initiatives
  • protection of our productive and natural resources so that horticultural industries can optimise their contribution to South Australia

Rural Solutions SA also provides policy advice to industry and the government to maintain a policy environment that is attractive to investment and is not unnecessarily regulated.

Expertise Available

  • Strategic planning and facilitation of industry development
  • Technical knowledge of production and post harvest management for a wide range of horticultural industries and associated natural resource management
  • Monitoring, analysis, interpretation and problem solving for horticultural production
  • Appraisal of land and water resources for horticultural production suitability
  • Surveying of producers for better understanding of issues and trends
  • Coordination and conduct of conferences, field days and workshops
  • Business advice in enterprise planning, economic analysis, quality assurance and investment decisions
  • Management of horticultural projects
  • Evaluation of industries and projects


Current Services Provided

Packaged consultancies and tailored services are provided to customer requirements at competitive prices. Current services include:

General Horticultural Advice

Hort Services provides general horticultural advice free of charge to the public in response to queries. Our horticultural consultants at a number of our offices provide technical and industry information across the state. Where more detailed information and advice is required, clients can take advantage of our consultancy services.

Property Appraisal & Property Development

Hort Services provides unbiased professional advice on a wide range of issues including horticultural enterprises, property layout, soils, crop health, and market potential. This service is specifically designed for clients considering the purchase of a property, property development or redevelopment, as well as improvements to productivity and profitability of existing properties.

Specialist services are available in:

  • land management
  • horticultural production systems
  • production problem solving.

Customised Consultancies

Includes technical and business management services tailored to the request of the client, provided either on a consultancy basis or as a diagnostic service. These consultancies often involve a range of skills and cover both production and post harvest horticulture.

Analytical and Diagnostic Consultancy Services

The ACML/SASPAS provides a range of services designed to meet specific grower needs. These services include:
  • analysis and interpretation of soil salinity
  • soil nutrient testing
  • leaf and petiole sample analysis
  • water analysis
  • sulphur in dried fruits
  • fruit maturity testing
  • specialist services by negotiation

A problem solving and monitoring service including:

  • pest identification and management
  • disease identification and management
  • production problems for most crop types