Primary Industries Minister Tim Whetstone has pledged to help the state’s farmers – one of the major contributors to the SA economy – being ravaged by dry times and severe winds.
At the Growing SA conference in Hahndorf on Friday, in front of about 250 people, he made the commitment.
“Yes, farmers are resilient but yes, they do need some form of government assistance because in the good times they are paying their taxes and in the bad times we want them to remain and be a part of our economy,” he said. “Despite some of the media reports I will be a responsible minister in a responsible government, ensuring we support those who support us.”
Mr Whetstone recognised “now was the time to act” and was in regular discussion with the federal government.
He was also working with Premier Steven Marshall and Treasurer Rob Lucas to put extra measures in place to put food on the table and support the mental health of SA farmers.
“We have been in an extended period of dry times but we are moving into times of concern and need to put the energy and effort where it is most needed,” Mr Whetstone said.
Primary Producers SA chairman Rob Kerin said it was an “incredibly variable” situation with some areas facing the worst season seen in many years and other regions faring well.
This made it difficult to discuss the issue.
“In recent weeks many calls from the local media start with ‘SA ravaged by drought…’,” he said.
“It would be easy to talk up drought but at the same time we are trying to get people to invest in agriculture, get young people to take ag as a career and also look for workforce out there so talking about drought is really a fine balance we need to take.”
Mr Kerin encouraged those needing support to apply for the Farm Household Allowance through Rural Business Support, estimating only a third of those eligible had taken it up so far.
“If you know anyone doing it hard, encourage them not to self assess and get in touch with RBS,” he said.
“They pay tax in all the good years so if they are doing it hard, we really need more people to put their hand up for that.”
During the Growing SA session, Mr Whetstone outlined his government’s achievements in its first six months in office.
These include farm debt mediation legislation, $1.4m to employ wild dog trappers and an extensive aerial baiting program, and enhanced screening for fruit fly.
But he said, after 16 years of policy complacency, reforms were still needed.
He was committed to working with the agriculture industry to build trust among consumers.
“For too long people have been consumed by the negative perception of primary industries and sadly we have seen a lot of bad press in recent weeks with live exports, with a shipping line letting down an industry that is vital to our economy,” he said.
“I want to see the day that we can be proud as primary producers that we are world leaders for providing food on a day-to-day basis.”
He said agriculture was a major economic driver, contributing $22.5 billion in 2016-17 from just 29 per cent of the population, and wanted the wider population to know this.
“It goes under the radar all too often,” he said.
“People expect when they open their fridge there is food, they sit at the table there is food and sit at the table and there is a glass of wine but do they really understand the dedication that comes with those exercises?”
