October 25, 2019
Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA) is celebrating 25 years of supporting rural and regional Queensland.
Agriculture Minister Mark Furner said on Friday more than $3.6 billion has been invested in Queensland agriculture in the 25 years since QRIDA – and its predecessor QRAA – were established but there was plenty more to be done in regional Queensland.
Almost 93,000 clients had been helped to establish and expand their businesses, or recover from natural disasters.
Mr Furner said more than $1 billion in low-interest loans for Queensland farmers had been approved through the Primary Industry Productivity Enhancement Scheme to assist new entrants into agriculture and to build long-term productivity and sustainability.
Another $865 million has been delivered in disaster recovery grants and loans to help primary producers, small businesses and non-profit organisations to get back on their feet after cyclones, floods, fires and other natural disasters.
“QRIDA has had strong support from successive governments over its 25-year history and that’s because the organisation has always been strongly focused on dedicated service delivery for Queensland agriculture,” Mr Furner said.
During the past five years, First Start Loans to help new entrants into agriculture have increased from $650,000 to $2 million, and close to $3 million was approved in Farm Management Grants to help families with farm succession planning.
