MORE investment into research and development and support for industry organisations are key priorities for state Opposition agriculture spokesperson David Ridgway as SA agriculture waits to see the results of next week's state budget.
"You always want more money for R&D, and more support for our research facilities," Mr Ridgway said.
"Part of the national research framework says we're meant to do a lot of dryland agriculture, so it would be useful to see extra funds put into research."
And with recent talk from federal Agriculture Minister Barnaby Joyce tipping location moves for the GRDC and Fisheries RDC, Mr Ridgway hoped there would be sufficient capacity within PIRSA's budget allocation to assist such a move to SA.
"It's probably a bit too late in the budgetary cycle to see any resources put aside to perhaps work on a bid to get those two facilities, but you'd hope PIRSA could make that happen or support it," Mr Ridgway said.
"PIRSA's budget has been reducing every year, and I know they're under pressure to keep reducing it.
"We would agree with the government that food production and manufacturing is a sector that has some really great prospects for growing and rebuilding our state's economy, but you can't do it unless you actually support the industry adequately."
He said the past decade had seen less funding directed towards PIRSA and a "scatter gun" approach to food.
"Really, on food marketing and innovation, it would be great to see a focused approach," Mr Ridgway said.
"If the government's really serious about its premium food and wine from a clean environment as one of their target initiatives, then you would hope that they would put their money where their mouth is and really support that industry and its marketing and promotion."
With a two-year funding commitment to Food SA, Mr Ridgway said it would be "great" to see additional support thrown behind that organisation.
"It's probably got the most efficient delivery mechanism for marketing and promotion activities," he said.
Another area Mr Ridgway would like to see attention focused on was road infrastructure, particularly in light of Viterra's announcement to cease rail freight in the Mallee.
"There'll be more trucks on roads and there are concerns with overtaking lanes and shoulder sealing, so I would like to think we might see some increased funding for maintenance of that road network," he said.
Having recently met with a group of women working in the horticultural industry in the Riverland, Mr Ridgway said there were also concerns regarding support networks and a lack of funding and support for mental health.
"There is always an increasing need for counsellors and people in that space," he said.
"It would be great to see more resources put towards giving rural communities a little bit more support.
"They're pretty tough and most don't ever really put their hand out for help.
"When people are in their hour of need, it would be nice to see some resources put to that as well."
