Sixteen Australian government policymakers have learnt more about the Australian grains industry this week, gaining hands-on experience through the GrainGrowers Grains Innovation Tour (GIT).
The tours, which have run since 2016, are designed to provide firsthand insight into the industry supply chain – from paddock to processing. The 2024 tour included industry-related visits to Boorowa, Wagga Wagga, Temora, Erin Vale, and Temora.
Representatives from the Departments of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications and the Arts, Foreign Affairs and Trade, Industry, Science and Resources, and Treasury, along with representatives from the Office of the Gene Technology Regulator and the APVMA are attending the tour, accompanied by GrainGrowers senior staff.
The three-day trip took in visits to the Boorowa Agricultural Research Station, the Wagga Wagga Agricultural Institute, Bruce Thompson’s farm at Temora, Riverina Oils and Bio Energy at Bomen, Hart Bros Seeds at Erin Vale and the GrainCorp site at Temora.
GrainGrowers CEO Shona Gawel said the GIT was a unique way of building relationships, exchanging views and starting discussions.
“While we seek to continually build relationships with government and policymakers, this three-day tour provides a practical hands-on insight into many of the issues impacting our industry.”
“For some, it may be their first opportunity to go on a farm or to visit grain research centres, so it is a unique opportunity to showcase a wide range of activities being undertaken.”
Ms Gawel said the tour was a valuable part of GrainGrowers’ advocacy efforts.
“To represent the interest of our members effectively, we need to build a thorough understanding with policy and decision makers of how our industry works and the issues impacting future development.”
“The tour is one way to build the links we need to ensure appropriate policy settings are developed and investments put in place on behalf of the Australian grains industry,” Ms Gawel said.
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