The Australian Year of the Farmer has dawned and the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) today called on all Tasmanians focus on some good news and link arms with the men and women of the land.

“Our glass is set to overflow,” TFGA chief executive Jan Davis said today.

She was referring to the good growing season through the spring and early summer; plus the start of the major irrigation programs this year (including the Midlands) that will put Tasmania at the top of the league. Less than one per cent of all Australian agricultural land is irrigated.

“This is going to be a really positive year for us,” Ms Davis said. “I can feel it in my bones. We’ve also been doing some research on just how sound the foundation is for farming in Tasmania.”

Tasmania has more than 3500 farms that produce milk worth $292 million, vegetables $241 million, cattle and calves $170 million as well as a host of niche food, wine and fibre products. In 2012, the value of agricultural production at the farm gate is topped to tip $2 billion.

“Those are the big ticket items in our contribution to a national industry that is worth almost $50 billion each year to the economy, 12 per cent of gross domestic product,” Ms Davis said.

“Agriculture supports the jobs of 1.6 million Australians in farming and related industries. That is 17.2 per cent of the national workforce.”

Ms Davis said few people realised that more than half those jobs are in the capital cities, in industry sectors such as food retailing, accommodation, cafes and restaurants, and food processing.

“At the same time, we manage 61 per cent of the Australian landmass and we deliver significant environmental outcomes,” she said. “The latest statistics show farmers reduced greenhouse gas emissions by 40 per cent between 1990 and 2006.

Life wasn’t meant to be easy, she said, but few people also realise the level of self-sufficiency of Australian farmers.

“Australian farmers are among the most self-sufficient in the world,” she said.

“Government support constitutes just four per cent of farm income, compared to 61 per cent in Norway, 23 per cent in the European Union, 17 per cent in Canada and nine per cent in the US. And that 4 per cent includes things such as the diesel fuel rebate, which is not a subsidy at all, and Exceptional Circumstances assistance to farmers coping with extreme weather events.

“So, that Australian ethos of getting on with the job, regardless of the obstacles, is as apt today as it was at settlement. We are good at what we do. We have to be in the Australian climate.

“With all of that, the prospects for agriculture are huge as we face playing our part in feeding, clothing and housing a world population that is expected to peak at nine billion by 2050.

“Through the Australian Year of the Farmer we will be telling many of our great stories, particularly here in Tasmania. In this state, we will also be developing a strategic plan that will place a heavy emphasis on communicating with those in our cities and towns.

“We want to go ahead together and lead the way in promoting a positive attitude for the future,” Ms Davis said.
Jan Davis http://www.tfga.com.au/