March 12, 2010

Australia farmers calls for the rebuild of agriculture productive capacity

The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) has called on State Treasurer John Lenders to keep the need to rebuild the productive capacity of Victorian agriculture in mind when deciding on Victoria's 2009-10 State Budget.

VFF President Andrew Broad said the Federation put forward a number of recommendations to help secure a sustainable future for Victorian agriculture in its recent State Government Pre-budget Submission.

"After years of drought, this will be the first year that many farmers will be able to concentrate on investing in their farm. The recent rains across most of the state signals the return to traditionally average yields and water allocations," Broad said.

"We are now calling on the State Government to throw its support behind this change in tides when preparing its 2009-10 State Budget, and help reposition Victorian agriculture for long-term sustainability in the future," he said.

"In our pre-budget submission, the VFF recommended a further AUD165 million (US$151 million) should be committed to refund the Regional Infrastructure Development Fund to help increase regional and rural productivity and increase infrastructure investment," he said.

The group also asked for financial assistance to fund the rail freight network standardisation.

"Rail standardisation is a vital component for a cost effective supply chain. A standardised network will increase transport flexibility within the grain industry and prevent over 11,000 mineral sands trucks per year travelling through regional towns," he said.