AGriFutures Stakeholder Conference held in Wagga
17/11/2017Seaweed just may be the future of Australian agriculture. At the AgriFutures Stakeholder Forum held in Wagga in October Seaweed was the star of the show. Along with seaweed, we could see goats milk as well as some native botanicals driving the booming agriculture industry.
Seaweed just may be the future of Australian agriculture. At the AgriFutures Stakeholder Forum held in Wagga in October Seaweed was the star of the show. Along with seaweed, we could see goats milk as well as some native botanicals driving the booming agriculture industry. A boom in the agricultural sector is excellent news for the industry as emerging fields will be able to gain traction as the industry diversifies.The Forum saw over 100 attendees which included innovators and growers from around the country. Building a stronger and better economy in a significant manner was the primary aim of the forum.
Managing director of AgriFutures; John Harvey said that by 2050 the world is estimated to have approximately 10 billion people with the majority being in Africa and South East Asia. And how can the industry capitalise on this?
“We’ve got a good name for growing clean, green healthy food and that’s what the emerging markets in Asia are after.” Stated Harvey.
The industry goal is to be at $100 billion by the year 2030, and Harvey notes that we can achieve this by combining traditional markets organic growth with investments into new markets. He also noted how there was a lot of recent growth of almonds in the Riverina and also how there is an excellent potential for the growth of hazelnuts.
The use of Seaweed is not new as Pia Winberg (CEO of Venus Shell Systems) was exploring its use around 20 years ago. She aimed to see if seaweed could be used to mop up fisheries nutrient waste. It was then that there was a massive opportunity realised for seaweed. While the rest of the world has understood that seaweed is the most significant aquaculture product here in Australia, we have not begun cultivating any. She has since then established a pilot farm for growing seaweed in Shoalhaven.
The scope of seaweed has gone beyond use in fisheries; it is now recognised or its usefulness in treating diabetes, obesity and chronic malnutrition. Amanda Garner, the Chairwoman of the Native Foods industry, has worked arduously to create some mainstream foods such as cereal, muesli bars and past to help provide the benefits of seaweed in tasty and exciting ways. The aim is to create a commercial market for nutriceuticals which includes these botanical foods.
Both Winberg and Garner agree that coming together and sharing ideas is a vital step going forward to ensure the success of the future of seaweed. Ms Winberg noted that production needs to be traceable and sustainable for the best results and to build a solid reputation in the market and the world. It is essential for each primary production industry to contribute to the story of seaweed and how it can be advantageous for all.
With the use of forums like this, all stakeholders can come together and contribute to the success of the agriculture industry and the growth of seaweed. More discussions can help us develop a product/s that will boost our economy and make a name for us around the world.