Someone asked me today what I would do if I had a magic wand to improve the state of play in Tasmania.
I told him that my vision for Tasmania is not radical. This would be a Tasmania where we’re self-sufficient, playing to our strengths and recognised for our strongly balanced approach to everything we do. It is based on celebrating what Tasmania has always done best within the parameters of our climate, our population size and the unique skills of the people who choose to live here.
Too many people here have a glass-half-full approach to life – and find reasons why things should not happen, or pretend to be things we are not and never will be.
We have so much going for us here in Tasmania – and the potential to be so much more than we are now. Rather than being an overall disadvantage, we need to see our isolation as our strength and build on the assets we already have here. Rather than smothering businesses in over-zealous rules and regulations, we need to focus on creating an environment that ensures balanced and sustainable development. Rather than apologising for being small, we need to be proud of the unique character that has sustained our communities through many tough times. Rather than being seen as accepting, we need to be see ourselves as leaders, out in front of the pack. Remember, perception becomes reality!
Our farmers produce more high quality products than will ever be required by our small population. Climate change will enhance our ability to produce an even greater diversity of food and fibre, wine and pharmaceutical crops, even products for emerging carbon markets. That means that Tasmania’s traditional strength since the first days of settlement, our ability to grow things, remains the formula for our future prosperity. In a century, when all the cable cars, poker machines and V8s will have rusted where they rest, our farmers will continue to drive the economy.
Farming is a traditional enterprise that has to be as modern as tomorrow. In an environment with such diverse climate and geography as we have here, the technology to improve farming practices has to be both up-to-date and evolving.
Tasmanian farmers are innately clever. They adapt to changing market conditions; they adopt new technology; they use their heads before they put their hands to work. Up until recently, we have been totally at the whim of the weather gods. However, research through initiatives like the Sense-T program is giving farmers far more reliable information on which to base sound decisions and risk assessment and transforming the agricultural landscape.
That is why agriculture in Tasmania is approaching $2 billion pa and growing, pardon the pun.
A warmer climate; much more information about our physical environment; and expanded irrigation schemes and 95 per cent surety of water in our main growing areas will broaden the canvas upon which our farmers will work. We will see more intensified horticulture and livestock production across wide areas of the state; we’ll see new crops and products; and we’ll see expanded production of staples like wool and potatoes. The future will bring developments and opportunities we can’t even begin to imagine today.
And this growth will be the powerhouse of a vibrant and sustainable economy, which provides a solid base for all Tasmanians to be the best they can be.
To me, that is a vision splendid.
The release earlier this week of the long-awaited Green Paper into Agricultural Competitiveness by federal Minister for Agriculture, Barnaby Joyce, highlights just how achievable this vision can be.
Five schemes identified by Tasmanian Irrigation for tranche 2 of the state’s irrigation program were included in the list of high-priority national projects. These shovel-ready projects are now in the running for funding as part of $100 million set aside in the federal budget for game changing agricultural investments. We’ve long known the great potential for growth in the agriculture sector in Tasmania. This sort of recognition at the national level underscores just how right we are.
We will all have different ideas of what we would like to see Tasmania become. However, it is long past time for us to have a real community discussion about what the common themes are, and agree to focus on the future rather than the past. It is up to all of us to make this happen – and to hold our political leaders accountable for delivering on our shared expectations.
TFGA chief executive Jan Davis
