Record Agriculture Production in New South Wales in 2022
Agriculture is a major player in the primary industries sector in New South Wales (NSW). The industry is a major source of jobs across the state, and there is positive news regarding its current situation and its future.
Despite challenges, the NSW agriculture industry is in a good position, having increased its value by $2 billion last year to reach a record value of $23.1 billion. Paul Toole, the Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW, spoke recently about the impressive performance of the industry.
Key points
- The NSW agriculture industry achieved record production levels of $23.1 billion last year.
- Deputy Premier and Minister for Regional NSW Paul Toole praised farmers for their achievements in the face of adversity.
- This adversity includes the effects of climate change and increased input costs.
- Initiatives such as investment in protection against Foot and Mouth Disease and assistance for farmers affected by flooding are helping farmers to be successful.
Positive comments from Paul Toole
Paul Toole made his recent comments about NSW agriculture on the eve of National Ag Day. He praised farmers and producers for their impressive achievements in the face of some significant challenges.
These challenges include the ongoing issues caused by climate change, such as flash flooding and drought. They also include problems with pest infestation, biosecurity threats, and major increases in input costs such as fertiliser and fuel.
In recognition of their achievements in the face of such adversity, Toole referred to farmers in NSW as the “backbone of bush communities.”
The future of the agriculture industry appears to be positive
When he spoke about the current positive position of agriculture in NSW, Toole indicated that there is also a bright future ahead for the industry. It’s expected to be worth $30 billion by 2030. This positive outlook applies to both the cropping and livestock sectors of the industry.
The cropping sector achieved a 43% value increase last year, reaching a figure of $11.9 billion. This increase is part of a good year for cropping in Australia overall. In fact, figures from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resources Economics and Sciences (ABARES) suggest record figures for crops such as wheat and rapeseed.
There was also good news for the livestock industry. It achieved a record value of $7.9 billion, a 13% increase on the previous year. This increase was due to a combination of factors including higher prices for beef, lamb, and wool as well as a recovery in the production of sheep meat and wool.
In addition to production positivity in NSW agriculture, there was also good news regarding exports. Figures for the state in this area increased by 64% to $10.9 billion.
Initiatives and reforms are taking agriculture forward
During 2022, a variety of initiatives and reforms were announced. These announcements herald a present and future for the industry that seems set to be bright despite the ongoing challenges. They include:
- Investment of $229 million to prepare for protection against Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease.
- Spending of $202 million over the last year to help farmers affected by floods.
- Emergency planning to rid NSW of the Varroa mite, including $18 million in compensation.
- Coordinated pest management for farmers across 60 million hectares of land.
- An in-depth review of on-farm renewable energy projects.
This type of support for the agriculture industry in NSW helps farmers to maintain the success of their operations despite facing many hurdles along the way. For this reason, initiatives like those announced in recent months are vital to ensuring the health and growth of the agriculture industry in the state. If this growth continues, the industry could be set to break more records in terms of its value. Everyone involved in the industry, from farmers to producers and community stakeholders, is hoping this is the case.
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