The Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) will play a critical role in achieving the Liberal Government's target of growing the farm gate value of the state's agricultural produce tenfold by 2050.
In opening the TIA's 2014 Science Showcase in Launceston today, I was pleased to reflect on the importance of research and development to our Agrivision 2050 plan.
Innovation in agriculture can only come about by ensuring there are stronger partnerships between all parties, which is what the Liberal Government hopes to develop through our establishment of AgriGrowth Tasmania.
As a joint venture between the Government and the University of Tasmania, the TIA, in particular, has a mandate to support industry development through ensuring that research is practical and responsive to industry.
The theme of this year's Showcase, Rethinking Agriculture: From on-farm productivity to agri-food profitability, demonstrates that the TIA is very much in touch with the needs of our primary industries.
Its work is not only relevant, but critical to achieving sustainable growth and, importantly, creating more jobs into the future.
The Liberal Government is committed to investing an additional $2.9 million in new research and development, farm productivity and irrigation and support programs.
More Media Releases from Jeremy Rockliff
More Media Releases from the Minister for Primary Industries and Water