An expert team will be assembled to advise the Andrews Labor Government on how to attract and retain the next generation of farmers to a life on the land.
Meeting young agriculture students and farmers at Dookie College in Shepparton today, Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford, said expressions of interest for the Andrews Labor Government’s Young Farmers Ministerial Advisory Council will open in June.
A key election commitment, the Advisory Council provides a unique opportunity for young farmers and other young people passionate about the future of agriculture to develop their leadership skills.
The Advisory Council will comprise up to 11 members, including a representative from each of the Victorian Farmers Federation Young Agribusiness Professionals and Victorian Young Farmers groups.
Members will have experience relevant to young people in Victorian agriculture and, to uphold the Labor Government’s commitment to ensuring gender equity on all paid government boards, be at least 50 per cent women.
The Advisory Council will complement the Labor Government’s new Young Farmers Scholarship Program, which received $760,000 in last week’s 2015-16 Victorian Budget.
The scholarship program will help young farmers to grow their skills and invest in new technologies and business efficiencies, ensuring Victoria’s regions retain the talent needed to prosper.
Agriculture and our farming families sit at the heart of rural and regional Victoria, with our food and fibre industry contributing more than $11 billion to our economy and way of life.
Attracting the next generation of farmers to a life on the land is crucial to meeting the growing demand from Asia for high quality, safe produce and improving access to new markets.
Through these two initiatives the Labor Government is equipping our young farmers with the skills they need for the agriculture jobs of the future.
Formal expressions of interest for the Advisory Council will open later in June, however interested young people can register to stay up to date by emailing youngfarmer.coordinator@ecodev.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Jaala Pulford
“The Victorian Budget is putting our young aspiring farmers and growers first, investing in their skills and their careers.”
“The Victorian Budget ensures we can find and support the next generation of Victorian farmers and growers, because food and fibre are the future of our economy.”
“I would urge all young people with a passion for the future of agriculture to consider nominating for Advisory Council membership – I’m confident the next generation of young people have the ingredients for success.”
Quotes attributable to Director of the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus, Ros Gall
“Agriculture is an important contributor to the Victorian and Australian economies and requires a highly educated and skilled workforce to continue to increase productivity and profitability utilising the cutting edge technology available to the industry.”
“Along with the terrific initiatives announced today by the Minister, continued development and use of technology across the sector will ensure Australian agriculture continues to thrive both nationally and internationally.”
Reviewed 19 August 2020