Cropping & Soil
2 December, 2025
$12 Million SmartFarm expansion positions Wimmera as Ag Innovation Leader
The future of Victorian farming is firmly planted in the Wimmera, with the new Plant Protein Hub and glasshouse at Agriculture Victoria’s Horsham SmartFarm officially opening on Monday, December 1.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Michaela Settle and Agriculture Victoria’s head of research Professor Simone Warner toured the facility, hosted by senior research scientist Dr Cassandra Walker.
The visit showcased how the $12 million facility remains on the cutting edge of innovation.
“I love visiting the SmartFarms,” Ms Settle said during the opening.
“I think there is something extraordinary that Victoria does.
“It's lovely to see so many people here, and I think that is a testament to the passion that so many of us feel for the agricultural industry and the beautiful area that you all live in.”
The minister highlighted the hub’s model as a place-based research space tailored for the Wimmera.
“Australia and Victoria have so many different farming systems and different ways we operate,” she said.
“To have dedicated research facilities in those different systems is incredibly important.”
Boasting more than 70 staff, Professor Warner said the SmartFarm was one of five farms in Victoria, forming an important role in Agriculture Victoria’s research and innovation ecosystem.
“All the way from pulse variety breeding to crop agronomy to soil sciences to crop protection and biosecurity, we have a whole suite of work underway here,” she said.
“Horsham SmartFarm’s research is a testament to the research that we do, supporting Ag in Victoria.
“Not only drives innovation and productivity, but it also ensures the sustainability and resilience of the ag sector in the face of many challenges.
“It's a pleasure to continue the work that we do here as part of this facility as well as the plant protein hub, and we look forward to seeing our research going forward.”
[SUBHEAD] A centre for innovation
The $9 million hub offers collaborative spaces for start-ups, researchers, and growers, with dedicated facilities for exploring new products.
Every step of the hub was designed to help researchers and industry partners discover and develop high-protein crop varieties specifically tailored to meet the growing global demand for plant-based foods.
“The hub also includes a fully equipped test kitchen with leading innovative analytical equipment to trial new ideas,” Ms Settle said.
“Lentils, chickpeas and field peas are in high demand around the world.
"Researchers and students here at Horsham are working on new crop varieties that are high in protein and resilient to our changing climate.
“This investment will help our communities reach new markets, drive local jobs, champion sustainable practices, and ensure a strong and resilient future for regional Victoria.”
Victoria’s pulse industry generated $638 million in export income in 2024, and Australia exports around 2.5 million tonnes of pulses annually, making it the second-largest pulse exporter in the world.
[SUBHEAD] Going against the grain
Ms Settle said the new $3 million glasshouse would provide scientists with a space to fast-track grain research, from new varieties and crop pests to disease management and climate resilience.
“It was lovely to hear about how that works… most glasshouses are about trying to increase productivity,” she said.
“To have something so unique to look at how we address both climate change and pests in the future is pretty extraordinary, and you must be very proud of what you've set up.”
The hub's construction generated numerous jobs across trades, suppliers, and professional and technical services.
It will continue to generate jobs through research, education, and industry collaboration.
The facility includes a dedicated education space that will offer hands-on learning, benefiting students from primary school to post-graduate levels across the region and establishing pathways for future careers in agriculture.
“It's so important in agriculture that we bring that next generation through, but also to make them understand the breadth of what ag really is and all of the different and extraordinary things they can do,” the minister said.
Read More: Horsham