Ag needs better government focus
22/3/2017
In 2016 the Agriculture industry provided the second largest export contribution to the Australian economy behind iron ore, but is not receiving the recognition due to it from the government according to National Farmers' Federation (NFF) president Fiona Simson.
In 2016 the Agriculture industry provided the second largest export contribution to the Australian economy behind iron ore, but is not receiving the recognition due to it from the government according to National Farmers' Federation (NFF) president Fiona Simson.
Addressing the annual WA Farmers conference she expressed the concern that agriculture had become "part of the furniture" despite it's forecast $60 billion dollar contribution to GDP for 2017.
"People seem amazed that it is agriculture that it is making a huge contribution to Australia's gross domestic product (GDP) and it is agriculture that is turning this country's accounts around," she said.
"When you take the supply chain into account as well, we have consistency been contributing to GDP despite droughts, fires, floods and the ups and downs of the market.
"Agriculture, we think, is Australia's fastest growing sector - this year if we're at $60b, and the trend has been up, then $100b by 2030 is very achievable," Ms Simson said.
"If you have a look at the range of commodities that are represented in ag, you can see where we think some of the potential is and horticulture, beef and grains are absolutely at the top of that."
"Nuts, particularly almonds and macadamias, have been huge performers in the past couple of years, with exported nuts topping $1b this year and making up more than 50pc of our horticultural exports."
To drive growth, Ms Simson said the industry needed to ensure it attracted the right talent, flexible capital sources, productivity through research and development, premium branding and digital connectivity.
"The federal government is broke and I've been hearing similar tales of what is happening in the west but we have a lot of investors knocking on our door - how can we unlock some of that capital and use it for infrastructure such as better roads, rail and inland ports?"
Ms Simson said a lack of a definable Australian brand could be a sticking point overseas.
"WA went to China and had a brand, Tasmania is big on its brand such as King Island, commodities tend to have their own brands as well, so when you go to overseas markets we haven't got a clear, identifiable brand, such as the Pure NZ brand, which has been hugely successful in branding its football team through to its food."
She said the NFF's key focus this year will include bolstering investment into the industry, trade and non-tariff measures and telecommunications.
"The industry needs to be actively considered by government in any decision-making processes about land use and regional development.
"There's a lot of opportunities for agriculture but it needs certainty and if it is going to have certainty it needs to be considered - not just the national resource function of the land but its income and job generating capacity."
