Our farmers do an amazing job to produce some of the world's best agricultural products.
Australia exports about 72% of the total value of agricultural, fisheries and forestry production, which in 2022-23 was an estimated $98 billion.
Today marks National Agriculture Day (AgDay) and this year's theme is "grow you good thing".
To celebrate, we want to thank our farmers for the work they do each day to ensure our food and fibre is top notch and highlight some innovative projects and programs that help our farmers grow.
By increasing trade and market access opportunities, encouraging innovation, enhancing Australia's international standing on sustainable agriculture and climate action, and maintaining our world-class biosecurity system to protect our agricultural industries, we support farmers to succeed, make agriculture a $100 billion industry by 2030.
More than $100 million is being invested in to support the National Traceability Strategy, showing consumers and the countries we export to that our products are safe, clean, and sustainable from paddock to plate, further driving our access to premium overseas markets.
The government is working with farmers to increase uptake of climate-smart, sustainable practices, through programs and initiatives with $100 million each year from the Future Drought Fund (FDF). The fund helps farmers and communities become more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought.
A trial project in the NSW Riverina is inspiring thousands of farmers to adopt non-conventional ways to conserve water and soil nutrients, with investment from the Future Drought Fund. Find out how they are "growing more grain per millimetre of rain".
Optimal management of soils and available water in NSW from DAFF Future Drought Fund on Vimeo.
Everything we do is underpinned by our climate and environment. The Australian Government has allocated $17.7 million from the FDF for essential activities so farmers and regional communities can continue to access information and support to prepare for drought and drying conditions.
This includes a short-term extension to the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs and the Climate Services for Agriculture program.
Tropical North Queensland drought hub director, David Phelps, talks about collaboration and cooperation to address drought and future-droughts. The combination of science and on the ground knowledge David says will "super-charge" our ability to prepare better together.
The Australian Government is consulting on the future direction of the Future Drought Fund, which will inform how we invest to build drought resilience over the next 4 years.
In addressing one the most significant challenges for the sector, Agriculture Ministers released Australia's first National Statement on Climate Change and Agriculture, outlining our commitment to work in partnership with the sector and ensure Australia remains a world leader in sustainable production.
Ongoing investment in research, development and innovation through the 15 Rural Research and Development Corporations (RDCs) is delivering on priority issues for the agricultural sector including new technologies and production practices to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change.
Our producers and land managers work hard to innovate, adapt and invest in the opportunities presented by a low-emissions future. Together, we can support the agriculture and land sectors to remain sustainable and competitive in the face of a changing climate. And when the times are hard, we are there to help our farmers through a range of rural assistance programs.
To help shape the role of agriculture and the land, in Australia's economy-wide goal to achieve net zero emissions by 2050, consultation is happening now on the development of the Agriculture and Land Sectoral Plan.
Our National Soil Strategy and National Soil Action Plan, which will be released later in 2023, recognises the crucial role soils plays in delivering resilience to climate change and growing a sustainable agricultural industry.
Australia's agricultural industry is a major source of jobs in rural and regional Australia with a workforce of just under 262,000 people.
Workforce programs are helping the sector access the labour it needs and provide rewarding careers in this great industry.
The Agricultural Workforce Working Group brought the Australian Government, unions, and employer groups together to find solutions to skill, attract, retain and protect workers in the agriculture and processing sectors.
Amongst other achievements, the group worked to ensure agriculture related courses were prioritised in the Fee-free TAFE initiative, attracting more than 9,500 agriculture related course enrolments earlier this year.
Maintaining our world-class biosecurity system is vital to protecting our agricultural industries and environment. As trade prospects continue to rise, we must continue to address biosecurity risks and opportunities for innovation.
The Australian Government is committed to sustainably funding Australia's biosecurity system.
Biosecurity is a shared responsibility, including contributing to the cost to safeguard our country from potentially devastating pests and diseases and also respond to outbreaks that land on our shores.
The sustainable biosecurity funding package delivers a stronger and more sustainable biosecurity system.
You can watch our biosecurity officers in action protecting our nations natural assets. Aussie Border Security is on the Seven Network at 8pm (AEDT) this Sunday.
