NFF president David Crombie says horticultural regions across Australia fear another season of watching fruit rot on tress due to a lack of pickers.

"We congratulate the Swan Hill and Griffith communities on their success, with employees set to hit the ground for the second half of the current harvest season," Mr Crombie said.

"All horticultural farmers across Australia need to support Swan Hill and Griffith's efforts, as their success will determine the eventual roll-out of the pilot scheme over the next three years before, ultimately, covering all horticultural areas with labour needs."

Swan Hill and Griffith first had to satisfy the Government's criteria, including high production needs, scarce local employment prospects, and the readiness and capacity to facilitate the immediate needs of the Pacific Islanders such as accommodation, training options, pastoral care and community services.

Mr Crombie acknowledged the farmers involved would face costs as part of the scheme, but with a nationwide shortage of 22,000 seasonal workers in horticulture alone, the scheme was a "critical component in enabling farmers to continue producing food".

"It provides the workforce we desperately need, but, in turn, farmers provide new skills and training to employees coming to Australia – skills they then apply back home," he said.

Following the preliminary trial, the remaining 2400 Pacific Island seasonal worker visas will be available from July 2009.