It’s a timely day to congratulate the sector, with the Minister for Agriculture releasing data that shows the total value of the industry has increased by more than $2 billion on last year to a record $23.1 billion.
Member for Cootamundra Steph Cooke has congratulated farmers for another bumper year despite the challenging conditions on National Ag Day.
“This data shows that farmers in NSW can bounce back from even the most challenging of conditions,” Ms Cooke said.
“We’re well on our way to becoming a $30 million industry by 2030, and that is a testament to our farmers’ and their families hard work, day in, day out.”
“The NSW Nationals will always have our farmers back and will continue to support them well into the future.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole said farmers continued to go above and beyond despite many challenges.
“National Ag Day is an opportunity for everyone to come together and thank our farmers for the world-class food and fibre grown on our doorstep,” Mr Toole said.
“Farmers are the backbone of bush communities and the State’s economy, and have shouldered the burden to keep supermarkets shelves stocked despite unprecedented challenges in the past year.”
Minister for Agriculture Dugald Saunders released the annual Performance Data and Insights report today, which shows the ag sector is continuing to break records despite a string of natural disasters.
“Farmers have also battled disease and pest incursions, continued biosecurity threats, increasing farm input costs like fuel and fertiliser and geopolitical events causing supply chain pressures,” Mr Saunders said.
“The fact the sector continues to prosper during all of this highlights the resilience and determination of our primary producers.”
“Our cropping sector reaped the benefits of strong seasonal conditions to record a 43 per cent increase on last year to reach $11.9 billion.”
“Livestock industries also achieved a record value of $7.9 billion due to a recovery in sheep meat and wool production and higher lamb, beef and wool prices. This demand supported higher farm gate prices and drove a 13 per cent increase on the previous year.”
“This year, we’ve also seen our exports reach a new record high of $10.9 billion, up a huge 64 per cent.”
The NSW Nationals in Government have announced a number of initiatives and reforms for the agriculture industry in 2022, highlights including:
- $229 million to prepare and protect NSW against Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease;
- More than $202 million in the last 12 months to help flood-affected farmers;
- An emergency plan to eradicate Varroa mite in NSW, including an $18 million compensation package;
- A coordinated pest management program with farmers on more than 60 million hectares of land; and,
- A comprehensive review into on-farm renewable energy projects.
The 2021/2022 Performance Data and Insights report is available at www.dpi.nsw.gov.au/dpi
