Friday, March 29, 2024

ABARES Outlook 2021 – Littleproud spruiks government’s ag credentials

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The ABARES Outlook 2021 Conference, the annual conference held by the Australian Bureau of Agricultural Economics, being held virtually for the first time this year, is taking place between March 2nd and 4th.

Source : Australian Government

The conference was opened this morning by the Federal Minister for Agriculture, David Littleproud. Mr. Littleproud highlighted how Australian agriculture is a key driver in leading Australia out of the downturn caused by the measures taken in response to the C-19 pandemic, with agricultural output increasing over the last year from $60 billion to a record breaking $65 billion.

Mr. Littleproud then spoke about the federal government’s Ag2030 vision, built on seven pillars.

First, export trade. Australian farmers produce enough food for 75 million people, so with only 25 million people here, export markets are essential. The government has introduced a $300m trade package to assist exporters as well as a digital platform designed to facilitate the export process – reducing applications to export from 20 to 1.

Second, biosecurity. The government has allocated $870m to biosecurity measures.

Third, stewardship. The government has introduced a $34 million Biodiversity Stewardship Program to encourage and to reward farmers for taking environmentally sustainable measures on their land and to take advantage of new revenue streams.

Fourth, infrastructure development, notably dams. Getting water into agriculture to improve productivity.

Fifth, deepen the supply chain. The government is introducing measures to encourage processing and manufacturing here.

Sixth, human capital. Improving agricultural education to bring on the next generation of farmers.

Seventh, innovation and research. Improving the outcomes from the terrific agricultural research done in Australia by assisting in seeing research concepts realized as commercial products.

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