Agricultural experts called in to attract the next generation of farmers in Victoria

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Image redit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net user: khunaspix

An Advisory Council comprised of agricultural experts will instruct the Andrews Labor Government on how to attract and retain the next generation of farmers to a life on the land.

Image redit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net user: khunaspix
Image redit: FreeDigitalPhotos.net
user: khunaspix

The Council will be composed of up to 11 members – including a representative from each of the Victorian Farmers Federation Young Agribusiness Professionals and Victorian Young Farmers groups – who will all be working together to provide a unique opportunity for young farmers and other young people passionate about the future of agriculture to develop their leadership skills.

Minister for Agriculture Jaala Pulford addressed young agriculture students and farmers at Dookie College in Shepparton on Thursday, saying expressions of interest for the Andrews Labor Government’s Young Farmers Ministerial Advisory Council will open in June.

“The Victorian Budget is putting our young aspiring farmers and growers first, investing in their skills and their careers,” Ms Pulfort said, adding that the establishment of the Advisory Council represented a fulfilment of a key election commitment.

Adertisement

“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.”

According to the Minister, 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% women.

She also said 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,” the Minister added.

Director of the University of Melbourne’s Dookie Campus, Ros Gall, said agriculture was nestled in the heart of rural and regional Victoria, with the food and fibre industry contributing more than $11 billion to the State’s economy and way of life.

He said attracting the next generation of farmers to a life on the land was crucial to meeting the growing demand from Asia for high quality, safe produce and improving access to new markets.

“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,” Mr Gall said.

“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.”