THE state's grain sector has set out its vision to become a $6-billion industry by 2030 with the launch of the SA Grain Industry Blueprint in Freeling today.
Led by Grain Producers SA, with $140,000 in funding from the state government, the blueprint details the six pillars to support accelerated growth in the industry, including Market Opportunities; Capturing Value; Biosecurity and Market Access; Innovation; Building Industry Capacity, and; Infrastructure.
The blueprint was launched by Primary Industries Minister David Basham and outgoing GPSA chair Wade Dabinett following today's GPSA annual general meeting.
Mr Basham said the blueprint provides the grain sector with a focused goal to reach $6b in value by 2030.
"The blueprint lays the groundwork to drive growth and unlock even greater value from the industry," he said.
"The state government is driving growth in the grain sector with policies such as lifting the moratorium on genetically-modified crops and investing $1.1b over eight years for regional roads and infrastructure upgrades.
"We envisage the innovative initiatives in the blueprint will help increase productivity to achieve an annual average growth rate of 3 per cent as per the Growth State agenda."
In order to achieve the $6b target, the blueprint has identified that the grain industry needs to consider having access to the best markets - locally and abroad, increased yields and decreased costs.
Mr Dabinett said a common theme from growers in the development of the blueprint was the strong desire to take greater control over their own futures and to move beyond just being a price taker in the global market.
"As an industry, we can help enable this by proactively planning for success," he said.
"This means taking a longer-term approach and investing in niche projects that become mainstream over time.
"We need to create new markets with targeted offerings and become a producer of food, not simply bulk commodities.
"We can create demand points for grain in SA and capitalise on potentially the biggest opportunity right at our doorstep - a larger domestic market that delivers a price premium and, once established, is the hardest market to lose."
Mr Dabinett said GPSA was proud to have led and coordinated the development of the blueprint.
"The blueprint provides the ideal destination for the SA grain industry to 2030," he said.
The blueprint is available online at blueprint.grainproducerssa.com.au
RELATED READING: SA grain industry blueprint prepares for launch
RELATED READING: Vision 2020: Grains industry set to evolve in new year
- Start the day with all the big news in agriculture. Sign up here to receive our daily Stock Journal newsletter.
