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Fuel Gippsland's economic engine with food and fibre

Gippsland’s annual productivity growth target should move from less than 1% (or $70m) to 3% (or $210m) growth by 2022 said Paul Ford, speaking at Agribusiness Gippsland’s annual conference.

By Portal Admin - 8th August 2017 - Back to News

Paul, Chair of Agribusiness Gippsland, said that in spite of recent challenges in dairy and forestry sectors, Gippsland was alive with opportunity to make the target achievable.

"Gippsland is very connected with metropolitan Melbourne and has abundant arable land and reliable water. We have an established base with food and fibre, energy, tourism, health and manufacturing," said Paul.

"We can build on these and by looking at low emissions power, medical technology, defence and education and more." Opportunities presented in the planned Gippsland Agribusiness Hub within Morwell’s new Hi Tech Precinct would help make this possible, according to Paul.

"The Hub will provide access to a significant specialist support to proactively grow Gippsland’s $7bn food and fibre sector," said Paul.

Paul likened the food and fibre value chain to a football team with farmers playing in the centre; farm advisors and water, seed stock suppliers on the wing; Government, investors, research and advocacy bodies in the back and equipment and packaging suppliers, manufacturers, banks, marketing sales and transport up front.

"We need to work and grow together to become a champion team, not a team of champions," said Paul. "And like the best champion teams – everyone comes home with a win."

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com