PUSHING the boundaries of earning capacities for primary production to $100 billion at the farm gate by 2030 might seem like a bold plan.
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And it might seem especially ambitious given the fact many parts of Australia’s growing production region are in drought.
The 2030 discussion paper for agriculture was launched at the Sydney Royal Easter Show, and on Friday farmers and industry leaders had their say at an event in Wagga.
The round-table discussions head as far south as Launceston and span across many of Australia’s major agricultural production areas to include rural and regional centres.
If statistics are to be a guide the rural sector has a way to go to achieve the target. In 2015-16 the total value of Australia's agricultural production increased to $56 billion, according to Agricultural Census data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS).
NFF president Fiona Simson was in Wagga on Friday for a discussion at Charles Sturt University about the plan to increase production.
“Despite tough seasonal conditions across many of our agricultural regions, farmers continue to punch above their weight in terms of the economic contribution they make to our nation,” she said.
“Everyday day farmers are turning off high quality, safe, sustainable food and fibre that caters for Australian and international consumers.”
Ms Simson said the NFF had a vision for farm gate production to reach $100 billion by 2030.
“It is a bold vision but one we think is possible. We are currently on a trajectory of growth but we need a step-change, a shift to a higher gear, if you like, if we are to reach $100 billion.
Earlier this year Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull released the Talking 2030 Discussion Paper commissioned by the NFF, assessing the innovations and policy environment the farm sector needs to achieve its targeted growth.
“So far we’ve visited regional centres in Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, Tasmania, Victoria and NSW,” Mrs Simson said.
“There has also been out-of-the box thinking on how we harness new technologies; improve the profile of ag and more efficiently harness water resources.”
Ms Simson said the next step was to consolidate the findings of the Talking 2030 'national roadshow' and develop a clear roadmap to guide agriculture to $100 billion.
“To reach $100 billion in farm gate production by 2030 we need to demonstrate the ingenuity we're renowned for; take risks and continue to pursue excellence.”