Blogs

Ask A Farmer project to strengthen ties

By Steve Mudd posted 18-07-2022 11:51

  

Ask A Farmer project to strengthen ties


NSW Farmers is asking the state government to invest in a project that would bring everyday Australians closer to the farm gate. 

The proposal is for an online portal modelled on the ‘Open Gate Conversations’ project, which allows people to directly ask farmers questions about food and fibre production.

NSW Farmers President James Jackson said the project could improve trust and investment in regional communities, with strong evidence that building community trust could improve productivity, profitability, and sustainability in agriculture. 

“Everyone – from Bondi to Broken Hill – relies on farmers for their food,” Mr Jackson said. 

“We want to build those connections between the farmer and the consumer, to give everyday Australians a chance to get answers straight from the source. 

“NSW Farmers is envisioning a new program and online portal built on our previous Consumer Connections project, which enhanced community trust in the industry.” 

Research by AgriFutures indicated connections, not geography, were key to building trust in the agricultural sector. It found knowing at least one person in rural industries was more important to understanding where food and fibre came from than where a person lived. 

“Decreasing trust can lead to reduced industry productivity, profitability, and sustainability resulting from increased regulation, limited market access, and disincentive to invest in infrastructure, among other consequences,” Mr Jackson said. 

“Formal training in communications would prepare a cohort of farmers across NSW to respond to and lead community conversations about agriculture that dispel myths and create connections. 

“The Victorian Farmers Federation’s ‘Open Gate Conversations’ program facilitates conversations between Victorian farmers and the community about agriculture and on-farm practices and is supported by their state government.” 
0 comments
0 views

Permalink