Project Catalyst

Project Catalyst supports a network of Mackay Whitsunday, Burdekin and Wet Tropics farmers who are leading the way in the use of cutting-edge management practices for a more sustainable and productive farming future.

Our Story

Project Catalyst is a pioneering partnership between more than 150 innovative Queensland cane growers that progressively improves farming performance and environmental outcomes. Managed by Catchment Solutions, Project Catalyst's important work is jointly supported by the Great Barrier Reef Foundation, The Coca-Cola Foundation, and WWF Australia.

The project aims to promote the development of innovative, ground-breaking farming practices, support sugarcane growers to adopt beneficial and sustainable farming practice changes, and improve the quality of waters impacting the Great Barrier Reef.

Latest Video

Harvesting Innovation

Inspiring Innovation in Sustainable Sugar

Inspiring Change 2020

Living Legacy 2020

The 2019 Project Catalyst Annual Forum Cairns

Virtual Farm Tour - Improving Soil Health in the Wet Tropics

Integrating Animals into cane farming to reduce inorganic fertiliser

Virtual Farm Tour - Biological Stimulants

Featured Projects

Annual trial results and personal profiles of the innovative leaders in the Queensland sugar industry, backed up by the technical data of previous case studies

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Current Trials

All Project Catalyst current trials.

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Past Trials

Project Catalyst finished trials

Man driving tractor in cane field.

Grower Stories

Grower stories highlight the work of Project Catalyst farmers

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Fact Sheets

Fact sheets provide up-to-date information on a range of subjects

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Case Studies

Read more about our growers. 

Key Partners

Introducing the people with passion for Project Catalyst.
Without their commitment to communities, innovation, and the environment - none of this would be possible.

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WWF logo.
Coca Cola logo.

Resources

To deliver the outcomes of Project Catalyst we draw upon a range of resources to support the growers in undertaking the trials, collection of trial data and economic, environmental and agronomic assessments.

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Soil

Soil health has been on the decline but new practices are helping to restore and protect soil properties that lead to better yields

Field seen through tractor window.

Chemicals

Any good pest adapts, so farmers have to adapt smarter and faster to keep the crops healthy and productive

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Water

Balancing too much with not enough, or at the wrong time, is the growers' constant juggle

Hands under pipe.

Nutrients

Finding the sweet spot for nutrients applied to the crop means very little can be lost to the waterways which is a win for the pocket and for the Great Barrier Reef.