Agribusiness and agriculture remains at the heart of the Andrews Labor Government’s work to grow jobs and boost the Victorian economy on the global stage.
Speaking today at the 12th Victorian Agribusiness Summit in Healesville, Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford said the Labor Government was buoyed by confidence in the future of the agribusiness sector to reap the rewards of solid investments in boosting export and market access.
Victoria is Australia’s leading exporter of food and fibre, accounting for 29 per cent of agricultural exports.
The Government is continuing to support the sector through productivity-boosting research and development, helping farmers and their communities during tough times, maintaining strong biosecurity protection and improving market access to export destinations.
Earlier this year, the Government released the state’s first Food and Fibre Strategy, underpinned by a broader $200 million Future Industries Fund.
The Food and Fibre Strategy supports the establishment of an ‘Innovation Network’, putting the development and sharing of agribusiness ideas on a strong development path.
In the Victorian Budget 2016/17, more than $20 million went towards maintaining Victoria’s biosecurity services, keeping our farms safe from pests and disease and ensuring our produce is welcomed by the global market.
Agribusinesses can take advantage of government investment by adding value themselves, introducing new technology and production techniques and researching and developing new products.
Clever agribusiness marketing that brings people to our regional areas with the promise of delicious wine and food can leverage Victoria’s clean, green, high-quality reputation on the world stage.
The Government is backing agritourism with a $1 million Victorian Wine Industry Strategy, supporting wine tourism, and a $101 million Regional Tourism and Infrastructure Fund.
Tourism is Victoria’s second largest export, generating 205,000 jobs – with a nation of food lovers who will pay more for quality produce and who love gastronomic holidays. Victorian agribusiness is perfectly poised to take advantage of these opportunities and the Labor Government stands with them.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford
“The story of Victorian agribusiness is a positive story – and we are proud to play our part.”
“Agribusiness is at the heart of Victoria’s rural communities and is crucial to our economic growth. That’s why we have put significant funding into supporting food and fibre production and agritourism
Reviewed 19 August 2020