Agritech industry seeks a $100m investment from the federal government to fund a series of projects that will enhance and accelerate the agritech sector, and realise a potential $40Bn per annum value boost to the Australian economy
28 February 2022 – The Australian Agritech Association (AusAgritech) has today released its Election Statement, in the lead up to the federal election.
The announcement doubles down on the industry’s call to the federal government to support the Australian agritech sector through the development of a cohesive, national, cross-departmental strategy.
Agritech is a standalone sector which applies technology to the agri-food supply chain, and contemporaneously crosses over into energy, water, sustainability, environment, climate and emissions reduction.
The technology developed and commercialised by the Australian agritech sector is critical to Australia reaching its ambitions for productivity, sustainability, digitalisation, jobs growth and emissions reduction.
Headlining the Election Statement is a call for federal government to allocate $20 million over five years to fund projects which will enhance and accelerate the agritech sector.
According to Tracey Martin, CEO, AusAgritech, time is running out for the government to provide meaningful support and a coherent national strategy to one of the nation’s most important and newest sectors.
“The solution to many of Australia’s challenges lies in technology, and the Australian agritech sector is best placed to contribute solutions.
“But, to-date, there has not been a national, coherent, cross-departmental strategy to develop the agritech sector.”
AusAgritech recently held its inaugural National Agritech Summit, with 300 delegates hearing from a panel which included both government and opposition members of parliament including Hon. Paul Fletcher MP and Hon. Ed Husic MP.
“We were enthused to have solid representation from both sides of government at our recent National Agritech Summit,” Ms Martin said.
“This shows us that there is appetite within the federal government to seize the opportunity that our sector presents, but now is the time for less conversation and more action.
With an election on the horizon, AusAgritech’s Election Statement calls on the government to:
- Establish agritech as a standalone sector
- Develop a coherent national strategy with industry to grow the sector
- Drive a cross departmental approach with industry to facilitate agritech
- Agree a strategy with the agritech sector for continued direct investment
- Evolve tax policy that supports real co-investment in agritech
“Whoever wins the election, must address these questions quickly and directly,” Ms Martin said.
The AusAgritech 2022 Federal Election Statement provides further clarity on how federal government needs to step up to ensure that we future proof Australia through meeting our productivity and sustainability targets.
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Media enquiries
Kara-Glenn Worth
Marketing & Membership Engagement Manager, Australian Agritech Association
+61 419 704 699 | marketing@ausagritech.org
About Australian Agritech Association
AusAgritech Association is the peak body for Agritech in Australia, on a mission to shape the future of Agritech in Australia, and its contribution to the Australian economy. AusAgritech was established to put Australia at the forefront of global Agritech innovation, and aspires to drive maximum benefit from Australia’s continued investment in research innovation, ecosystem collaboration and digital strategies that enable new jobs, increase productivity and build sovereign capital. AusAgritech Association’s 100+ membership consists of leading Agritech’s in Australia as well as Universities, research bodies, SMEs and startups in the space.
