Consultation open for South Australian Grain Industry Blueprint

Capturing greater value from export markets, building demand for grain within South Australia and reinforcing SA’s reputation as a producer of quality grain are just some of the key themes in the draft South Australian Grain Industry Blueprint, which is now open for public consultation.

The consultation phase of the Blueprint was launched today at innovative grain farming business Bulla Burra, Loxton, by Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development Tim Whetstone and Grain Producers SA (GPSA) Deputy Chair Adrian McCabe.

The development of the Blueprint has been led by Grain Producers SA (GPSA) with funding from the State Government and is the first of its kind for the South Australian grain industry.

Minister Whetstone said the Blueprint had identified a number of exciting opportunities which the South Australian grain industry could capitalise on over the next decade.

“The Marshall Liberal Government is committed to supporting SA’s primary industries to invest, expand and grow,” he said.

“South Australia’s grain industry is one of the state’s largest economic contributors for primary industries and agribusiness revenue, contributing almost $3.8 billion in 2018-19.

“There are an estimated 4,500 grain farmers in SA and the Blueprint will help grow agribusiness revenue and increase jobs in the state.

“To drive this, the State Government has set an objective to lift the sustainable economic growth rate in SA to an average of three per cent per year, which equates to the grain industry contributing $6 billion to gross food revenue by 2030.”

Underpinning the Blueprint are six key pillars: Market Opportunities, Adding Value, Biosecurity and Market Access, Innovation, Building Industry Capacity and Infrastructure.

Each pillar has had its own working group which has brought together people with a significant stake and passion from across the entire grain value chain to help develop the vision and opportunities for that particular aspect of the industry.

Mr Dabinett said it was crucial everyone along the grain value chain had their say on the vision for the industry’s path to 2030.

“We want the Blueprint to be an accurate reflection of the entire industry’s requirements to succeed through to 2030 and beyond,” he said.

“In developing the draft Blueprint, a common theme from growers was the strong desire to take greater control over their own futures and to move beyond always being a price taker in the global market.”

Mr McCabe encouraged all South Australian growers and other grain industry stakeholders to have their say on whether they think the draft Blueprint has set the right course of action to do this.

Grain industry stakeholders can have their say on the draft Blueprint by heading to its new dedicated website, blueprint.grainproducerssa.com.au.