Sisters Creek vegetable grower Leigh Elphinstone is at the end of his tether, as he faces the prospect of his swede crop running to seed.
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Mr Elphinstone is just one of many growers who are desperate for workers this year.
"We have a crop ready to harvest but within another couple of weeks it will go to seed; it will be gone too far."
He said he needed another 10 people for the next two weeks to get the full crop in.
Braddon Liberal MHR Gavin Pearce said the sector needed 4600 to 4800 seasonal workers to get the crops off.
"It's been a bumper growing year this year, and that has to be taken into account."
However he doubted they would get the critical numbers of pickers in time.
"The closer you get to harvest time, every 24 hours is crucial."
He welcomed the state government's decision to opt into the federal government's seasonal worker program, which allows approved employers to bring Pacific Island workers in.
Primary Industry Minister Guy Barnett said Tasmanians were still the top priority.
"We are open to all and any ideas that will encourage people to roll the sleeves up and help our vital primary industries, while gaining new skills and experience.
"There are hundreds of jobs available right now.
"We have a local agricultural jobs campaign now under way, as part of our $1.9 million Agricultural Workforce Resilience Package."
Leah McBey
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
As a southern New Zealander I love island life. So Tassie was an obvious choice after living in North America, Europe and the Pacific Islands. I've done a bit of everything but communication is the motif threading through my life.
