The primary purpose of Project Catalyst is to reduce the environmental footprint that sugarcane production has on freshwater quality and the Great Barrier Reef.
An evolution
The Coca-Cola Foundation along with the WWF, Reef Catchments and local development partners are supporting Project Catalyst. This long term project focuses on promoting the evolution of cutting-edge practices in the sugar industry including: water quality improvements, soil health, farm production efficiency and precision planning.
An expanding program
Initially working with 19 sugarcane growers within the Mackay Whitsunday region, Project Catalyst is a five-year program. Each year the intent is to increase the number of sugarcane growers; firstly in the Great Barrier Reef then aiming to extend to Asia, Africa and South America. The project is being delivered in partnership with WWF-Australia and Reef Catchments, a local Natural Resource Management (NRM) group supporting the Mackay Whitsunday communities.
Real stories, real results
Communicating the grower stories to the sugar industry is central to Project Catalyst as their experiences will present practical improvements, costs and benefits to sugarcane growers locally and globally.
Tony, Mark and John Bugeja: Automatic harvester base cutter height controller “Project Catalyst enabled us to think big and think broader. We want to show the rest of the world what we can do. It’s a positive way to go.” (Tony Bugeja)
Lee, Chris, David and Phil Blackburn: Skip row planting at variable widths and sugar beet “Project Catalyst has allowed us to broaden into new technologies, which will hopefully allow the next generation of farmers to be able to farm in a sustainable manner.” (Lee Blackburn)
O'Connell Catchment Precision Services: Skip row planting “Project Catalyst has enabled us to develop new
farming systems and new ways of doing things that previously wouldn’t be possible without the primary support behind us.” (Tony Jeppeson)
“I’ve seen in these growers, who wouldn’t normally be given this opportunity, grab it with both hands. They show true commitment to not only the project but their own aspirations and outcomes they are seeking to achieve.” Rob Cocco, CEO, Reef Catchments
Focus on innovation
In Australia, Project Catalyst’s focus is on innovation, providing the missing piece to State and Federal programs that aim to increase adoption of improved management practices. This in turn enhances water quality, soil health and other natural resource conditions.
Globally, Project Catalyst provides the exciting opportunity to connect agricultural leaders to environmental icons such as the Great Barrier Reef in a positive way.