Travelling throughout Tasmania - and indeed to South Korea and Japan on a recent trade delegation - it is clear why Tasmanian farmers are viewing their future with increased confidence.
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Tasmania is ideally placed to supply Australian and international consumers and markets with fresh, high quality produce through a proven safe production chain.
To win over and retain markets we must produce premium food and beverage products year-on-year that meet, and even exceed, expectations and enhances Brand Tasmania.
The state government has always backed farmers and primary producers and the recent Rabobank survey showing our farmers are the most confident in the nation is welcome news.
It was extremely pleasing to see farming confidence at its highest level since late 2015, especially in the dairy sector, where farmgate margins have improved through 2017.
There is no doubt that 2016 was a tough year, with extreme weather events and unpredictable global markets, with many farmers, and farming landscapes, still recovering.
The Tasmanian government will always stand with our farmers during the tough times, working alongside industry groups with business support packages, financial assistance and social support for families and communities.
We understand the uncertainty, frustration and isolation felt by some throughout these challenging times.
But farmers and farming communities are resilient and have bounced back, buoyed by strong markets for beef and lamb, cropping and a resurgence in wool prices.
The government just marked its third anniversary in office and we are delivering on a wide range of initiatives targeting the key drivers of growth: investment, productivity and careers.
Five new irrigation schemes are on track to deliver an additional 27,700 million litres of reliable water to communities from Bothwell, to Swansea, Scottsdale, Evandale and Smithton.
Biosecurity has been improved to protect our relative pest- and disease-free status.
This includes doubling, to 12, the dog detector teams that intercept quarantine risk materials at airports, seaports and practical infrastructure like the new Powranna Truckwash.
We’re also making it easier to get on with the job by reducing red tape on things like dam works approvals, crop protection permits and reform to make it easier to grow industrial hemp.
Ultimately, all this leads to more jobs in regional Tasmania and stronger regional communities.
