What will the future of our Primary Industries sector look like in 5, 10 or even 20 years time? What planning and investment needs to take place to ensure this industry and its supporting communities are prosperous into the future?

To be conducted over two years the project will investigate what the Primary Industries sector will look like in the Murraylands & Riverland into the future and will lead to informed regional and industry planning to ensure that the region maintains and builds on its reputation as leading producer of clean green food & wine.  

Stage 1: Regional Commodities Desktop Review

The first stage of the What Future Primary Industries (WFPI) project was to clearly identify what our primary regional commodities are within the region. A desktop review was conducted utilising Data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS), Department of Primary Industries and Regions SA (PIRSA) and the various industry organisations.

The report showed that our top 5 agricultural commodities according to gross value (2010/11) were
1. Wheat for Grain - $273.0m
2. Wine grapes $195.8m
3. Potatoes $104.6m
4. Barley for grain $79.6m
5. Sheep and Lambs $70m

Additional to this it found that the Murraylands & Riverland produces:
 Almost 100% of South Australia’s Oranges & Nectarines
 95% of South Australia’s Almonds
 Almost 50% of South Australia’s Onions and Potatoes
 Produce 70% of SA’s pigs and process 65% of SA’s pigs
 Produce 50% of the state’s Chickens
 Home to Australia’s largest lamb, mutton and beef exporter
 Produce around 80% of SA’s Mushrooms
 56% of SA’s Olives

Stage 2: Industry Perspectives Survey

Almost 40 regional industry representatives were surveyed during Stage 2 to determine what industry perceives to be the issues and opportunities for the future. The report has been undertaken of representatives from the following industries: Grain, Fruit & Nut, Vegetables, and Animal Products.

Four key themes emerged: Workforce Development, Infrastructure; Innovation & Competitiveness, and Promotion & Perception of Industry. Some of the items identified are relevant at a national, state and local level.

Stage 3: WFPI Strategy

Feedback from the survey and desktop review are now been condensed into a strategy which will form the framework for supporting our agricultural commodities into the future. RDA M&R will work with state and national industry groups, government departments and other regional stakeholders to facilitate achievement of the strategy’s actions. Watch this space.