The Liberal National Government announced $6.7 million in State Government investment to support 20 new projects that will drive agricultural growth.
Image credit: www.agric.wa.gov.au
Agriculture and Food Minister Dean Nalder said the grants were awarded to not-for-profit farmer driven organisations to support a range of new projects, such as increasing exports of Western Australian barley to Asian brewers and devising a strategy to increase premium wine exports.
“These grants are across a range of areas and form part of the State Government’s broader commitment to grow the agrifood sector and capitalise on increasing demand for safe, high-quality food,” Mr Nalder said.
“The local groups are co-investing in these initiatives. Wines of Western Australia will use their grant to identify the best pathways to grow the State’s premium wine exports. Building on existing relationships in Asia, the South East Premium Wheat Growers Association will integrate market intelligence and on-farm agronomic advantages to position WA malting barley as the preferred supply source for Asian brewers.”
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said the grants were part of the Liberal National Government’s Agricultural Sciences Research and Development Fund, made possible by the Royalties for Regions Seizing the Opportunity Agriculture initiative.
He said the initiative was focused on increasing economic growth in regional communities.
“WA is being increasingly recognised internationally as a potential investment destination for agribusiness due to its availability of land, water and climatic conditions suitable for a wide range of agricultural produces,” Mr Redman added.
According to Mr Nalder, additional projects remain under consideration in the first round of grants, with a second funding round through the fund to open later this year.
