- Leading economists explore the future of WA agriculture at Perth conference
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman today called on industry to help shape an exciting future for Western Australia's agrifood sector for the next decade and beyond.
Mr Redman was addressing the Australian Agricultural and Resource Economics Society (AARES) conference in Perth, at which he introduced the Agrifood 2025+: the future WAy initiative, which aimed to stimulate debate on the future of WA's agriculture and food sector.
The Minister said the initiative builds on the State Government's priority plan for agriculture and food.
"Several potential scenarios have been developed by the Department of Agriculture and Food as a starting point. We hope they will stimulate debate and feed into policy development as the sector takes part in this important dialogue to help shape the future of our State's agriculture and food sector," he said.
"Our State must be ready to capitalise on rising world demand for food. By 2025, the world's population is estimated to grow by as many as 2.5 billion people with an explosion of the middle class in Asia."
"We currently export more than $5billion worth of agricultural products each year while offering an array of fresh, quality produce to WA consumers. These global changes will create opportunities to significantly increase the value of agricultural exports."
"Now is the time to promote our State as a reliable supplier of quality, safe food to capture these markets and secure a progressive future - not only for our agriculture and food industry but also the broader WA economy and community."
Mr Redman said the Government was already preparing for the future through projects such as the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre; building the regions through Royalties for Regions; and continuing to develop export markets.
"In the coming months, we will be hosting a series of workshops with key industry sectors to help position WA to reap the long-term benefits of the changing international marketplace."
More information on Agrifood 2025+: the future WAy is available from http://www.agrifood2025.agric.wa.gov.au or Twitter: @agrifood2025
Fact File
- The Agrifood 2025: the future WAy initiative will investigate opportunities for the agrifood sector in 2025 and beyond
- Three scenarios will be used as a starting point, focusing on future marketing opportunities for the State: as a commodity-based supplier, a high-value niche product supplier, and a supplier of packaged products
Minister's office - 9213 6700
