The Australian Government has released the May 2021 Delivering Ag2030 plan, highlighting further measures that the government has put in place to back the agricultural industry as it works towards its goal of $100 billion production by 2030.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the agricultural industry has been crucial to the nation's economic recovery and a shining light in the Australian economy.
"Australian farmers, fishers and foresters have put their shoulders to the wheel throughout the pandemic and are expected to deliver a combined $71.2 billion to the Australia economy in 2020-21, up from $66.5 billion in 2019 2020," Minister Littleproud said.
"Today we've released our updated May 2021 Delivering Ag2030 plan, which outlines the next stage of government action to support the industry to grow and continue to deliver jobs in regional and rural Australia.
"Additional investments in this budget include over $400.0 million to further strengthen biosecurity, $29.8 million to grow the agricultural workforce, and $15.0 million to improve trade and market access.
"When the industry announced its Ag2030 goal, we knew it was an ambitious target.
"While Australians can expect drought, flood and fire, no one could have expected the widespread impacts of a global pandemic on industry.
"Despite these extraordinary circumstances, Australia's farmers, fishers and foresters responded with determination and resilience.
"They got on with the job. They put food on Australian tables, they continued to export to countries all around the world, and they even branched out to look for new markets.
"The Australian Government is backing the hard work our agricultural industry puts in by providing over $850.0 million in funding through this year's budget.
"This investment will drive the competitiveness, growth and resilience of the agricultural industry. It will deliver the tools required for producers to reach their goals.
"Our farmers and farming communities are playing a leading role in Australia's economic recovery, creating rural and regional jobs, and we are backing them all the way."
