LAST year was an exciting one for the state's grain industry and Grain Producers SA will be looking to carry the momentum throughout 2021 and beyond.
For the first time, SA growers have the choice to plant genetically-modified crops this coming season, following an historic change in the state's agricultural policy with the lifting of the moratorium on the commercial cultivation of GM crops on mainland SA.
This followed years of advocacy from GPSA and the wider SA grain industry, with the state's growers now on a level playing field with their mainland interstate counterparts and significant opportunities ahead for our world-class researchers.
As we make the transition, GPSA is taking a leading role in the responsible adoption of new crop varieties within SA's farming systems.
The decision to lift the moratorium across mainland SA will unlock the economic potential of SA's cropping sector in line with the SA Grain Industry Blueprint's vision to create a $6-billion industry by 2030.
We are thrilled with how the blueprint has been received by industry and government, with several projects with strong linkages to the document already announced, generating investment in SA's grain industry.
GPSA will be running workshops throughout February for two projects arising from the blueprint - Market Ready and Beyond the Silo.
These workshops will focus on trade and market access, which is timely given the uncertainty in international grain markets witnessed in 2020, particularly the Chinese market.
GPSA will continue to work with government and industry throughout 2021...to progress more initiatives outlined in the blueprint.
- ADRIAN McCABE
GPSA will continue to work with government and industry throughout 2021 and beyond to progress more initiatives outlined in the blueprint so we can achieve the targets designed to develop our industry's potential.
There is a lot of interest in the competing port proposals on the Eyre Peninsula.
GPSA does not favour projects between competing commercial interests and will continue to seek clarity on growers' behalf.
Many growers across the state will be approaching the 2021 season with cautious optimism following solid yields and some solid returns and I personally believe there is much to be excited about in the SA grain industry.
GPSA will be focusing on several policy priority areas throughout 2021, which include the future of innovation for SA growers; industry resilience to drought and climate change; biosecurity, trade and market access; national representation; and agrichemical regulation.
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