Ag Institute Australia’s Agrimaster Forum chair Melissa Neal

A forum looking at the potential for doubling Victoria’s food and fibre production by 2030 will be held in Melbourne next month.

DEPI’s executive director of agricultural policy, Lill Healy, will open Ag Institute Australia’s Agrimaster Forum on November 19 in the Royal Agricultural Society of Victoria meeting rooms at the Melbourne Showgrounds, Ascot Vale.

Forum chairman Melissa Neal said the forum has been designed by and for the generation who will be responsible for agricultural production in 2030.

“We are excited that many speakers are early career individuals, supported by years of experience.”

“So come along and connect with the senior leaders of the future.”

Ms Neal said the forum will provide an important and unparalleled opportunity to understand what ‘doubling food production’ really means and if it is realistic. It will also take recommendations to government.

Speakers will include recently retired DEPI Farm Service Victoria executive director Ron Harris, who will present the findings of a report completed by the Centre for International Economics.

Productive Nutrition consultant and beef cattle producer Meg Bell, with Inspiring Excellence managing director Dr Kristy Howard, will examine the current state of the meat industries and the opportunity for boosting production. Other speakers will address the same issues for the other major food sectors — dairy, horticulture and grain.

Ms Neal said questions to be answered at the forum will include: ‘Is the Victorian coalition government’s aim (of doubling food and fibre production by 2030) aspirational, heroic or wishful thinking?’ and ‘What can Southern Australia do to increase output, productivity and profitability?’

The event will also showcase the AIA National Student Award in which six state finalists will compete for the 2014 title.

The cost of the forum is $200 for RASV members, $330 for non-members and $160 for students.

For forum registration: https://tas.currinda.com/register/event/1143

For the forum program, click here and for the forum flyer click here