It is hoped a $1.7 million horticulture facility at a regional Queensland school will help combat a skills shortage in the state's agricultural sector after the closure of multiple training colleges.

The greenhouse, at Home Hill State High School south of Townsville, is the region's largest investment in agricultural education since the Burdekin Agricultural College closed in 2013.

Built to industry standards, the state government-funded greenhouse is a replica of that used in real-world horticulture production, and similar to Queensland's Department of Primary Industries (DPI) research facilities.

Agriculture teacher Louise Nicholas said that with sugar cane and horticulture vital to the Burdekin region, investment was needed to keep students interested in agriculture.

"It's just so i

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