People from all over the country took the opportunity to praise the nation’s farming and agriculture on Tuesday, November 21.
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People from all over the country took the opportunity to praise the nation’s farming and agriculture on Tuesday, November 21.
National Agriculture and Related Industries Day, or AgDay, was held for the first time this week, giving thousands of hard working farmers recognition for the important jobs they do.
Australian agriculture is now valued at approximately $60 billion, and feeds over 61 million people world wide.
These numbers are expected to grow, as the increase in both our national and international population drives up the demand on Australian products.
Agriculture is also a major part of the Australian economical landscape, as it is leading contributor to our Gross Domestic Product growth.
It is also growing at a rate of 19 per cent, the highest among Australia’s 19 industries.
Agriculture covers 58 per cent of Australia’s land mass, and provides employment to more than 10 million Australians.
The day was the idea of Gina Rinehart, and was supported throughout its development by the National Farmers’ Federation and the Federal Department of Agriculture and Water Resources.
AgDay was officially launched by then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce at Parliament House on September 4.
Mr Joyce told reporters that Australians should be proud of their nation’s agriculture.
“Australian produce is renowned and enjoyed the world over – from our chickpeas in India, our lamb in Saudi Arabia, Aussie beef in fine Japanese restaurants and Australian wine across the globe,” he said.
Assistant Agriculture and Water Resources Minister Luke Hartsuyker said AgDay was important for getting farmers the recognition they deserve.
“Today (AgDay) is about spreading the word and putting the facts and figures out there to show the size and scale of Australian agriculture’s contribution,” he told reporters.
This is especially prevalent on the South Coast, where farming has become an integral part of the culture.
Many farms around the area are locally-owned businesses that have been passed down over multiple generations.
These farmers have gone through an especially tough ordeal this year, with an unusually dry winter affecting their stocks.
However, a wet start to the summer period has provided much needed relief, as grass begins to grow for the region’s dairy cattle.