Victorian election 2022: Coalition’s agriculture innovation fund

The Victorian Coalition has pledged $8 million to set up a new fund aiming to encourage “on-farm innovation” if elected later this month.

New technology and training are the focus of election pledges from the major parties as the Victorian election campaign approaches the home straight.

Today, the Victorian Coalition will pledge $8 million to establish the Agriculture Futures Extension Program if elected later this month.

The program will be available to grower groups across Victoria to deliver programs that ​assist farmers in adopting new technologies and practices.

The funding will allow industry groups to tailor programs for participants with a focus on diversifying domestic and export markets.

Opposition agriculture spokesman Peter Walsh said the fund would deliver innovative programs to drive greater productivity.

National Party leader Peter Walsh alongside Leader of the Opposition Matthew Guy and Shadow Minister for Health Georgie Crozier in Melbourne. Picture: Nicki Connolly

The Victorian National Party leader said the statewide fund will be able to deliver 40 separate programs through to 2027.

“This funding will allow industry groups to deliver programs that encourage on-farm innovation and adoption of new technology,” Mr Walsh said.

“Our farmers are the stewards of the land, and the Agriculture Futures Extension Program will assist them in meeting their business and net zero ambitions.”

Agriculture Minister Gayle Tierney said the Coalition’s announcement was a reversal of a cut Mr Walsh himself enacted as minister a decade ago.

“They have the gall to announce the Future Farming Strategy - the very same program they slashed in 2012, leaving Victorian primary producers to go backwards in productivity until a Labor Government could step in,” Ms Tierney said.

“They cut it once - if they’re given the chance, they will cut it again, leaving farmers high and dry.

“Only Labor will support our farmers to work faster and smarter, boosting their productivity with the On-Farm Internet of Things Trial and the AgTech Regional Innovation Network, part of $3 billion we’ve invested in our state’s agriculture over the past eight years.”

Meanwhile, Labor has focused on agricultural training on the campaign trail.

State Education Minister Natalie Hutchins toured farmland in the Werribee region recently to announce grants for 43 school projects as part of the $5.5 million Secondary Schools Agriculture Fund.

She said Gippsland-based students would be able to participate in the Dairylearn Transition Pathways – a $200,000 project to provide dairy industry training.

“This is all about backing our students – who are the future of agriculture and the next generation of farmers,” Ms Hutchins said.

“This funding will help thousands of young people get the skills and the experience they need for a career in the sector and set them on the path to a bright future.”

Yesterday, Premier Daniel Andrews announced a $9.7 million package to waive vehicle registration fees for apprentices, saying the move would address regional labour shortages.

Mr Andrews said a re-elected Labor government would also establish an apprenticeships taskforce and set up a parliamentary inquiry into companies and contractors who fail to pay subcontractors.