A major new project aimed at boosting the vegetable industry’s long-term growth and prosperity will draw on practical advice from a team of industry experts.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Peter McGauran says the Australian Vegetable Industry Development Group (AVIDG) will oversee funding of $3m the Government has provided under the Industry Partnerships Programme (IPP).

The Group will be chaired by Tasmanian Richard Bovill, organiser of the Fair Dinkum Foods Campaign, and brings together strong expertise and experience in the farming, retail, processing and wholesale/export sectors through:

• Michael Badcock, Chairman, AUSVEG
• Nigel Steele Scott, Chairman, Horticulture Australia Ltd
• Peter Cochrane, President, VFF Horticulture Group
• Ian Pavey, National Business Manager, Fresh Produce Coles Supermarkets
• Wendy Erhart, Managing Director, Withcott Seedlings Queensland Pty Ltd
• Terry O’Brien, Simplot Australia
• Russell Phillips, Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry.

Minister McGauran said the Australian Government contributed $200,000 last June to an IPP project looking at turning around the vegetable industry’s fortunes.

“In August 2005, the Government announced a further $3m to help the industry tackle the serious challenges identified during that IPP project,” he said.

“The IPP project report — Setting Directions for the Future of the Vegetable Industry — outlined a vision for seven so-called ‘foundation projects’:

1. developing a long-term, industry-wide strategic plan
2. improving farmers’ business skills
3. improving leadership and industry structures
4. developing an information and decision support framework for industry
5. introducing rigorous industry benchmarking
6. assessing the international competitiveness of the vegetable industry
7. enhancing markets through points of difference and competitive advantages.

“AVIDG will help to focus these projects on industry expectations. Along with the Australian Government injection of $3m, the projects will receive support from the national vegetable levy,” Minister McGauran said.

The first project, developing a strategic plan for the industry, is underway, with a draft to be presented at the Australian Vegetable Industry Conference on 10-12 May to attract industry comment.