2012 highlights a new generation of farmers
Without farmers we would have nothing to eat and nothing to wear, yet their importance to the Australian economy is often overlooked by a nation of urban dwellers. Geoff Bell looks at why we should all embrace 2012 as the Australian Year of the Farmer.
I’ve said this so often that I think my face has actually turned blue – the important role our farmers play in our everyday lives is widely overlooked in this country.
The Australian Year of the Farmer 2012 is a year-long celebration of the vital role farmers’ play in feeding, clothing and housing us all. We rely on our farmers every day. The food we eat, the clothes we wear, the roof over our head all originates from a farm.
Current projections show that in the next 40 years, farming production worldwide will need to double, so not only do our farmers feed our nation today, they will feed our future. Our farmers hold the key to the country’s future and we need more of them!
Despite the obvious importance of farmers to this country, there is a critical need to create a new generation of farmers. The problem is a career in farming isn’t always perceived as a lucrative one.
When you really think about it, a farm is a very sophisticated business. It’s all about knowing when to buy and to sell your product – all the while managing the land or resources you have available to you. Our farmers really are shrewd business people. At the same time they are part biologist, meteorologist, vet, scientist, builder, mechanic, marketer and salesperson.
No matter what your interest is a career in farming has something for you. It is not limited to working on, or running, your own farm.
Farming is driven by innovation. There are so many industries and professions that help make our farmers the best in the world. They include engineers, scientists, researchers, economists, communications specialists, project managers, logistics and transport specialists, sales people and many other industries who make up the umbrella term ‘agribusiness’. These industries all play an important role in the success of our farmers and providing food, fibres and all the farmed things we enjoy on a daily basis. Farming and related industries employ more than 1.6 million Australians, which is 17.2 per cent of the nation’s workforce, and more than half of these jobs are located in capital cities.
The thing about agribusiness is that it is big business. Each year, farm related industries inject more than $405 billion into our economy, that’s 27% of Australia’s GDP. That’s more than double the economic contribution and employment opportunities created by the mining industry.
You don’t need to be an actuary to figure out that as the world quest for more food grows so does the demand for Australian farmed products. This increased demand leads to increased profit margins and creates lucrative careers in agribusiness.
It’s certainly time we stood up and were proud of our farmers. They move with the times and have become more innovative, efficient and help keep Australia afloat. More importantly we need to show our kids – the next generation of farmers – that it is an exciting and lucrative career option.
For more information on all the exciting careers in agriculture, visit www.yearofthefarmer.com.au. We’ll be hitting the road telling this story across the country, in schools, in the media and online to show everyone that Australia’s biggest ‘growth’ business is agribusiness.
Geoff Bell is Councillor of the RAS of NSW, serving as Chairman of both the Agricultural Development Committee and the Sydney Showground Support Group. Prior to taking on the AYOF managing director role, Geoff was Principal of Oakover Business Support Services, a management consultancy business specialising in strategic planning, leadership development and executive coaching services. Previously, Geoff served as Chief Executive Officer of Sydney Markets Ltd and Chairman of the Central Markets Association of Australia.
