This National AgDay, the NSW Minister for Agriculture Tara Moriarty has thanked the farmers and fishers of NSW for the commitment and resilience they have shown over the past 12 months and congratulated them on their achievements.
In delivering world-renowned food and fibre to consumers, last year NSW primary industries recorded the second highest gross value of production (GVP) on record, with a value of $21.2 billion during the 2022-2023 financial year.
In the same period, NSW primary industries' exports increased 15% to a new record high of $13.1 billion.
The minister paid tribute to NSW producers first-hand during a visit to a cherry orchard in the state's Central West, where she was able to sample some of the early-season fruit and learn more about the initiatives underway to continue to drive industry growth.
One such example is a new national communications and extension program for the cherry industry, which will see best practice information on biosecurity, resource availability, sustainable production, labour and climate change shared through grower-led trials, demonstrations, orchard walks, newsletters, training events and the soon-to-be-launched Cherry Picked podcast.
NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) will lead the program in partnership with Hort Innovation, drawing on expertise from Cherry Growers Australia, Fruit Growers Tasmania, South Australian Research and Development Institute and the Victorian Cherry Association.
With the theme for this year's National AgDay being 'Grow you good thing', this new communications and extension program will be the cherry on top of a promising season for growers.
Further information on the economic value of NSW primary industries can be found at the DPI's Performance Data and Insights website.
Further information on the new cherry communications and extension program is available on the Hort Innovation website.
Agriculture Minister Tara Moriarty said:
"AgDay is a day to celebrate our producers and reflect on the fact that this state continues to produce some of the best food and fibre in the world.
"We've got everything from prawns and pulses to cherries and Wagyu beef, and so much more in between.
"Our farmers and fishers continue to innovate and adapt to meet the needs of consumers, which is why people across the world love NSW produce.
"New season cherries are a great example of the delicious, local produce that consumers in NSW can enjoy right now, so this AgDay, I'm encouraging everyone to take advantage of the great food and fibre we have on our doorstep."
Acting President Cherry Growers Australia Nick Noske said:
"The Australian cherry industry identified the need for the establishment of an effective industry-wide communications program such as this.
"In recent years there have been several disruptions, such as unfavourable weather conditions (for example, excess rain and drought), COVID-19 and complications with overseas markets, which has challenged product quality and quantity, as well as reducing opportunities for direct industry engagement, peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and next-generation development.
"This program will work to reverse these disruptions."
Hort Innovation General Manager for Industry Services and Delivery Andrew Francey said:
The project is in direct response to a call from industry to deliver new, independent, and informative communications and extension activities to the Australian cherry industry.
Growers have the opportunity to be involved in a regional growers program with a focus on regional challenges and opportunities through demonstration trials and local grower meetings.
