Tasmanian farmers said Tasmania’s agriculture industry was in good shape and welcomed the government’s additional $35 million commitment to the sector’s research and innovation.
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West Pine vegetable and livestock producer Ben Radcliff said the increased funding boosted confidence within the farming community.
“[The funding is] very widespread and covers dairy, cropping, horticulture, the whole works, so I think it’s a real positive,” Mr Radcliff said.
“I think the state is in really good shape now and I think it should continue. We’ve got a real grassroots connection here so it means a lot to us as farmers,” he said.
East Sassafras vegetable and livestock producer Matt Young said he was pleased to see the $2.4 million funding for community organisations, such as Rural Business Tasmania, Rural Youth Tasmania, Tasmanian Women in Agriculture and Rural Alive and Well.
“They’re supporting the people who are supporting the farmers,” Mr Young said.
“They’re not supporting the industry, but they’re supporting the farmers directly and that’s the sort of stuff that generally gets missed, so to see it included was good,” he said.
The additional $35 million funding covers agricultural research, development and extension over five years and includes upgrading research farm assets.
Primary Industries minister Jeremy Rockliff said this funding would particularly help the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture.
“TIA works in partnership with Tasmanian farmers revitalising our research and development so we can continue to be the most innovative and productive farmers in the nation,” Mr Rockliff said.
The research and development announcement was made as part of the government’s pledge to boost Tasmanian agriculture and food sector funding by $150 million, should it be reelected.
“The is the biggest funding boost for agriculture that this state has ever seen.”
“This is an unprecedented investment in agriculture: $150 million towards boosting our agricultural productivity, supporting our farmers to grow, to make and also protect our unique island brand and natural clean image,” he said.