Behind the Scenes with AustChilli’s Agronomy Team
- Meet The Team
At AustChilli, delivering the finest quality produce starts long before it reaches your plate. Our agronomy team plays a crucial role in ensuring that every crop—whether it’s chillies, herbs, vegetables, or avocados—is grown to perfection, adhering to the highest standards of sustainability, safety, and innovation.
From integrated pest management strategies to cutting-edge technology, here’s a closer look at how our dedicated team keeps our crops thriving.
What Is Agronomy?
Agronomy is the science of soil management and crop production. It’s all about understanding how crops grow best and applying sustainable farming techniques to improve quality, yield, and efficiency. Our agronomists play a key role in monitoring crop health, optimising irrigation and fertigation, managing pests and diseases, and implementing new farming technologies.
Meet the Experts Behind Our Crops
Our agronomy team is a diverse group of skilled professionals with extensive qualifications and years of hands-on experience in the agricultural industry. Together, they bring their expertise to every aspect of crop production, ensuring the best possible conditions for our crops.
Meet Kaushal
Role: Business Development Manager (Agronomy & Farms)
Favourite Chilli Dish: Sri Lankan Sour Fish Curry – a zesty, tangy dish with a touch of heat.
Kaushal has been with AustChilli for over seven years. He initially joined us in a Quality Assurance role and as an experienced Agronomist quickly transitioned into our lead agronomy role.
He now oversees budgeting, cost management, innovation projects and long-term strategic planning for the farm and agronomy team.
Our farm uniquely grows 52 weeks a year, making forward planning essential. Kaushal plays a key role in crop modelling to ensure a consistent supply from farm to factor including forecasting the required quantities and varieties for each season and managing our growing plan.
Outside of work, Kaushal is always keen to learn and take on new challenges. He’s passionate about sports, particularly hockey and chess, and values spending quality time with his family.
Meet Roshan
Role: Agronomist
Favourite Chilli Dish: Coconut Sambal – a refreshing mix of fresh coconut, red chilli, lime, and salt – served as a side with rice.
Roshan brings over a decade of agricultural expertise to AustChilli. He previously served on the Department of Agriculture, Sri Lanka. where he was deeply involved in consultancy, teaching, training, and lecturing.
He holds both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in agriculture, demonstrating strong academic expertise in the field.
In his spare time, Roshan—much like the rest of us—enjoys a cheeky scroll through Facebook and catching up on some well-earned sleep!
Reflecting on his role at AustChilli, Roshan shares:
“I’m proud to be part of the team growing some of the best produce in Australia.”
Meet Isaiah
Role: Agronomy Assistant
Favourite Chilli Dish: Chilli Mud Crab – spiced with onions, celery, and, of course, chillies.
Isaiah has been with AustChilli for five years, and during that time, his role has evolved significantly. Starting with hands-on pest control, his responsibilities continue to grow as he takes on new challenges and ensures best practices are followed across the farm. He now manages and delegates tasks related to fruit fly control, working collaboratively with the larger team and Farm Manager.
Outside of work, Isaiah is passionate about his Indigenous culture. He plays the didgeridoo and teaches Indigenous dance at schools, sharing his heritage with the next generation. After a busy day, you’ll find him unwinding by jumping into the pool with his two kids.
A Day in the Life of an Agronomist
Each morning, our agronomy team gathers for their daily toolbox meeting. This is where the day’s priorities are set, challenges are discussed, and tasks are delegated. No two days are ever the same—one morning might involve testing soil conditions to ensure crops are getting the right balance of nutrients, while another could be spent identifying signs of pests or diseases before they become a wide-spread issue.
Some of the key tasks our Agronomy team tackles include:
- Conducting field trials to evaluate new crop varieties, monitor crop health, and develop innovative farming techniques.
- Monitoring irrigation systems to ensure efficient and effective water use.
- Ensuring compliance with food safety and quality standards by maintaining proper documentation and reports for farm audits.
- Collaborating on integrated pest, disease, and nutrient management strategies to support healthy crop and optimised yield.
Isaiah explains the necessity and importance in their work:
“From the farm to people’s tables, we ensure every safety protocol is followed.”
Innovation on the Farm: Technology Meets Tradition
"It feels great knowing our work contributes to the new flavours people around the world enjoy at their tables every day."
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