Test Driving The Path To Solutions

As I read through the Australian Government’s Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper I am pleased to see Australian agriculture finally receiving some long awaited attention. Having been relegated to the “too hard” or “not vital” basket for some time it is heartening to see the Government attempt to tackle the numerous problems unique to Australian Agriculture.

Do I believe this is the magic pill to address the great variety of issues facing all of our Australian agricultural industries? No. But it is a start and I hope it is a foundation on which we can build and improve the outlook for Australian farmers and the industries that support and depend on them.

Our politicians are trying to listen and while it is easy as farmers to identify all the problems that we face on a day to day basis, it is necessary to be able to provide thoughtful solutions. Think about one problem you face in your agricultural business or local community and how that problem could be alleviated or reduced given improved governance or policies. If we as farmers cannot find solutions to our problems, how can we expect people with little experience in agriculture and even less at operating a farming business, to come up with workable, effective and practical solutions?

We have the solutions within our agricultural ranks. We can make a difference. Stand up and be counted and make a difference. Inaction will see nothing change and the struggle to improve profitability at the farm gate will become increasing hard.

Do you have a solution to a problem (big or small)? Choose a champion for your solution, be it a State Farming Organisation, Industry Body, political party or local politician. Start conversations within your industry to see if the solution can be refined or improved. There will always be critics and those with a negative response, but study them further and ask what produced that response. They may simply be the wrong vehicle to carry your solution forward.

Ultimately any effective changes to agricultural policies must happen in a bipartisan manner and be implemented for the long term. Investment in agriculture is long term and it needs long term, consistent policies that reach across the political divide and changing governments.  Healthy and robust debate across the political spectrum can be (and should be) constructive and result in improved solutions, especially when combined with industry consultation and farm gate conversations.

Australian agriculture has many eyes focused on it and ears listening right now…….possibly more than ever before. Let’s get this right.

And remember if the vehicle you chose is not responding, it may be time to trade it in and try a different track.  The key though is to firstly give the chosen vehicle a chance.