South Australian grain industry outlines plan to grow sector into major powerhouse
After a tough season last year, the South Australian grain sector is forging ahead with plans to grow to a $6 billion industry by 2030.
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SOUTH Australia’s grain sector is aiming to be a $6 billion industry by 2030 and has released a blueprint on how it plans to get there.
Capturing greater value from export markets, building demand for grain within SA and reinforcing the state’s reputation as a producer of quality grain are some of the key themes in the draft South Australian Grain Industry Blueprint, which is now open for public consultation.
The development of the blueprint has been led by Grain Producers SA, with funding from the State Government, and is the first of its kind for the SA grain industry.
Loxton farmer John Gladigau said the blueprint offered a great opportunity to get everyone across the grain sector on the same page.
“For me, what the blueprint has really shown is that we have so many different players in our industry – from producers to grain marketers to grain breeders and those who supply infrastructure,” he said.
“While we’re all passionate about the industry, in a way we’re all working in our own bubbles. What’s exciting about the blueprint is having everyone come together on common ground and seeing how we can build efficiencies and innovation.”
Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister Tim Whetstone said the blueprint had identified exciting opportunities which the SA grain industry could capitalise on over the next decade.
“SA’s grain industry is one of the state’s largest economic contributors for primary industries and agribusiness revenue, contributing almost $3.8 billion in 2018-19,” he said.
“There are an estimated 4500 grain farmers in SA and the blueprint will help grow agribusiness revenue and increase jobs in the state.”
Mr Whetstone said to drive this, the State Government had set an objective to lift the sustainable economic growth rate in SA to an average of 3 per cent per year, which equated to the grain industry contributing $6 billion to gross food revenue by 2030.
Grain Producers SA deputy chairman Adrian McCabe said underpinning the blueprint were six key pillars: market opportunities; adding value; biosecurity and market access; innovation; building industry capacity; and infrastructure.
Each pillar has had its own working group to help develop the vision and opportunities for that particular aspect of the industry. Mr McCabe said it was crucial everyone along the grain value chain had their say on the vision for the industry’s path to 2030.
“We want the blueprint to be an accurate reflection of the entire industry’s requirements to succeed through to 2030 and beyond,” he said.
GPSA chairman Wade Dabinett said a common theme among growers was the strong desire to take greater control over their own futures.
Industry stakeholders can have their say on the draft - blueprint.grainproducerssa.com.au