November 21, 2017
Queensland’s pivotal role in Australian agriculture has been highlighted by the Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) as part of National Agriculture Day on Tuesday, November 21.
The QFF says National Agriculture Day is a chance for everyone to reflect on the pivotal role agriculture has played in our history, celebrate its successes and get excited about its bright future.
QFF President Stuart Armitage said there was a lot for Queenslanders to be proud of when celebrating the State’s agriculture sector and the farmers that produce the highest quality food, fibre and foliage.
“Queensland now accounts for about 24 per cent of Australia’s overall production value, making it the number one agricultural state in the country,” Mr. Armitage said.
“This really should not come as a surprise with the 26,000 farm businesses operating across 84 per cent (144 million hectares) of the State.
“The sector is worth nearly $20 billion and employs over 315,000 Queenslanders across the whole food supply chain, supporting rural, regional and metropolitan economies.”
Mr Armitage said many Queenslanders acknowledge that farmers are essential, but few truly understand the scale and quality of what they produce.
“For example, how many people would know that one average Queensland dairy farm produces enough milk for over 12,000 people a year? Or that nurseries produce over 636 million plants for food, fibre and foliage every year?
“With over 85% of Australians living in urban areas, we are one of the most urbanized countries in the world.
“National Ag Day provides an opportunity to not only celebrate, but also educate the broader public about the critical role farmers play in sustaining our everyday life.”
Mr Armitage said the National Farmers Federation should be commended for their work in advocating, establishing, and promoting National Agriculture Day.
A national breakdown of Australia’ agriculture’s worth and value is available online.
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Infographic: Queensland Agriculture Fast Facts
