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Our Rural Landscape (ORL): A $50 million investment
The Victorian Government is investing $50 million over four years in Our Rural Landscape (ORL), a key government initiative to develop innovative technologies for the sustainable development of Victoria’s food and agriculture sector.
The Government is committed to working with industry, non-government organisations, farmers and communities to develop profitable and sustainable farming systems.
Investing in agricultural research and development tends to be highly profitable, for communities and nations as well as for industry and landholders.
The aims | The figures | Community benefits | Who pays | The vision
The Aims | Photo: Our Rural Landscape project staff. |
- New, efficient, profitable and ecologically sustainable agri-food systems.
- More efficient use of our natural resources.
- A culture of innovation with people motivated to think creatively about agriculture and the rural landscape.
- More confident and capable rural communities.
The Figures
- In 2002/3, Victoria’s 37,000 farmers produced approximately $7.5 billion worth of agricultural products, from 13 million hectares of farm land.
- In 2002/03, Victoria's agricultural and manufactured food exports were valued at $6.5 billion, and comprised 24 per cent of Australia's agricultural and manufactured food exports.
- The growth in the State's agricultural and manufacture food exports over the past decade has trended at 4.5 per cent per annum. This has been particularly impressive, given that drought and unfavourable exchange rate movements have impacted in recent years, after exports peaked at $8.1 billion in 2001.
- Productivity in the agricultural sector has been growing at around 2.6 per cent per annum, increasing incomes and employment across regional Victoria.
- Approximately 95,700 Victorian's are employed in the agriculture forestry and fishing sector.
- A 5 per cent increase in the productivity of Victorian agriculture would increase Victoria's income by almost $290 million a year.
- Investment in research and development through programs like ORL is a major source of productivity growth, which yields benefits for all Victorians.
Community Benefits
- ORL will place equal value on economic, environmental and social outcomes.
- Improving farm productivity will help ease the pressure on natural resources, freeing them up to benefit the whole community.
Examples:
- Water savings from more efficient irrigated agriculture can be used to improve river flows.
- Reducing nutrient run-off from farms will improve the quality of waterways.
- Conservation of biodiversity and remnant vegetation on farms, will help protect native flora and fauna.
Who Pays
- Government has a role in supporting the development of knowledge and new technologies that will benefit the community as a whole.
- Where ORL projects provide direct benefits to industry sectors, the Department of Primary Industry will seek appropriate co-investment from beneficiaries. This will enable ORL funds to be directed to a wider range of work areas.
The Vision of Success
“Sustainable development through innovation: thriving agribusiness, cohesive rural communities and healthy ecosystems.”
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