Budget 2021: Growth strategy to see farming sidestep China

A more than $85bn push to expand the global reach of Australia’s agricultural sector is set to defy Chinese trade attacks and grow the nation’s farming industry to $100bn by the year 2030.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud. Picture: Gary Ramage

An $85m-plus bid to expand the global reach of Australia’s agricultural sector is set to defy Chinese trade attacks and grow the ­nation’s farming industry to $100bn by 2030.

The government will spend a total $850m over five years to back the National Farmers Federation’s goal to dramatically ­expand the industry, with a focus on ramping up bio­security technologies and attracting young workers to the sector.

Recent announcements on a $25.1m rural health strategy and a $189.6m five-year plan for Northern Australia buttress the budget’s focus on the regions ahead of the next election.

Australia’s agricultural sector has been the target of Chinese trade attacks since the pandemic began last year. Beijing has slapped tariffs and bans on multiple products, including beef, barley, wheat, wine and timber.

The Morrison government will spend $15m from this year on boosting Australian interests at national flora and fauna standard-setting bodies around the world, and continue to pursue a $73m agriculture-business initiative through the Trade Department which aims to develop new export markets.

Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said farmers and producers had proved to be resilient throughout the pandemic and had room to grow.

“Despite the challenges of drought, COVID-19, fire and floods, the agricultural sector is expected to reach a record $66bn in production in 2020-21,” he said. “Investment being made in priority areas, particularly bio­security, will give our farmers, fishers and foresters the confidence to invest and take advantage of opportunities.”

The $400m biosecurity package flagged last week will include “border protection measures” to prevent diseases and pests from entering Australia.

The package will see funding used for trial technology to screen international passengers for biosecurity risks, while a new advertising campaign will be used to increase public awareness of the risk of breaches.

Also, $25.1m will be spent to provide farm placements for students leaving high schools and to boost research on how to improve the attractiveness of the agricultural sector for young workers.

On Northern Australia, the government will put $111.9m towards supporting businesses in the Top End scale-up projects.