Both sides of government need to prioritise training for the next generation's food and fibre producers, said the Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) following yesterday's announcement that a federal election will be held in September.
"Agriculture, mining and other primary industries are keeping this county afloat," said Victorian Farmers Federation president, Peter Tuohey.
"But both sides of politics need to deliver policies that help us build on the strength of these sectors."
Following yesterday's announcement that the next federal election will be held on September 14, the VFF and other farm lobby groups are urging both sides of government to focus on recruiting and training the future's food and fibre producers. The groups are asking for more emphasis on agriculture in the national curriculum, a lift in the number of graduates with skills in agriculture and food processing, and more research funding for the sector.
The VFF compared investment in agriculture research to other sectors to highlight the importance of a renewed focus in primary production.
It's statement read that agriculture research has been stagnant at $250 million a year since 2003-04, but over the same period, health research has ballooned from $365 million to $950 million and Australian Research Council funding jumped from $399 million to $879 million.
"We keep hearing both sides of politics declaring how agriculture is vital to Australia’s future," Tuohey said. "But we don't see any major funding commitments to agriculture from either side of politics."