23 November 2024
Jane Howlett, Minister for Primary Industries and Water
The State’s agricultural sector will benefit from an injection of funding to help build the sector through the Tasmanian Government’s 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, has awarded nearly $1.5 million in funding to nine organisations for projects as part of the Strategic Industry Partnership Program (SIPP).
“The Tasmanian Government this year supercharged the Strategic Industry Partnership Program to provide even more opportunities for peak bodies and agricultural organisations,” Minister Howlett said.
“I’m excited that through that funding we have been able to fund a number of projects that will promote collaboration and capacity building in the agriculture sector.
“Organisations like Sprout Tasmania will spend the next two years working on a project that will enable growth in the small-scale producer sector, while TasFarmers will develop an animal health and welfare program.
“The Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group will spend three years looking at Post Farmgate Representation and how to encourage better representation within industry groups.
“All of these projects will contribute to a strong agricultural industry and are aligned with the Tasmanian Government’s AgriVision 2050 target to increase farmgate value to $10 billion.”
Recipients of the SIPP are required to co-fund the projects, which be run for periods of between 12 months and three years.
Minister Howlett said the projects will see a combined investment of $2,361,463 from industry and the Tasmanian Government injected into the agriculture sector.
“Agriculture is the backbone of our economy and our way of life in Tasmania and this Government will continue to back in our farmers and leverage our strengths," Minister Howlett said.
“That is why we are investing in development and support projects and working with peak bodies and agricultural organisations to ensure the sector can continue to prosper.”
More information about the Strategic Industry Partnership Program can be found here.
The successful projects include:
Tasmanian Seed Industry Group | Development of the Tasmanian seed industry through the execution of the Tasmanian Seed Industry Group Action Plan. |
Tasmanian Seed Industry Group | Growing connections through the 12th International Herbage Seed Group Conference in November 2025 that will incorporate field days and workshops. |
Potatoes Tasmania | Developing the Tasmanian Potato Industry Plan 2025-2030 which will provide industry with a clear roadmap towards growth, sustainability and improved productivity. |
DairyTas | Upskilling the industry through the ‘Hire, Develop, Reward, Keep: Investing in People in Agriculture’ project that will focus on people management and encourage cross-sectoral connections and collaboration to keep more people working in the sector. |
Dairy Tas | Undertaking another round of the successful Tasmanian ‘Dairy Farm Manager/2IC’ course which facilitates pathway development for individuals in the dairy industry. |
Fruit Growers Tasmania | Undertaking a ‘Fruit Producer Profitability Pilot’ which will help apple producers gather production and performance data for conducting industry-wide benchmarking for Tasmania’s apple industry. |
TasFarmers | Working to enhance animal welfare practices across Tasmanian farms by equipping farmers with essential knowledge and skills through a new ‘Tasmanian Animal Health and Welfare Program’. |
TasFarmers | Developing a Voluntary Code of Practice for Nutrient Management which will be designed to influence good on-farm behaviours. |
Sprout Tasmania | Grow the small-scale producer sector through professional development through Sprout Tasmania’s Sprout Producer Program and online education through the Sprout Hub. |
Poppy Growers Tasmania | Undertake an education and awareness campaign ‘Not Your Average Poppy’ aimed at minimising the risks of the misuse of poppies. |
Tasmanian Hemp Association | Developing the Tasmanian Hemp Association industry and strategic plan which will enable the further growth of the sector. |
Tasmanian Agricultural Productivity Group | Supporting their agricultural technology initiatives, including the AgTech Expo and implementation of an AgTech Experience Program. |