Australia and China must adopt innovative, sustainable agricultural practices to meet the global demand for a reliable food supply – that’s the message that will be presented tomorrow at the opening of the first ever Australia-China Sustainable Agriculture Technology Forum, in Hobart.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Anne Ruston, will provide an opening address in front of the Vice President of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, Professor Mei Xurong and the Premier of Tasmania, the Hon. Will Hodgman, MP.
“The hallmark of Australian agriculture is industry-driven innovation, ingenuity and hard work,” Minister Ruston said.
“With the global population set to grow significantly, Australia and China must be at the forefront of sustainable developments to produce more food with less land and less water.”
Minister Ruston said the Turnbull Government provided $40,000 to the forum through the Australia-China Agriculture Cooperation Agreement (ACACA), which is being run as a partnership between the University of Tasmania, NRM South and the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences.
“Key influencers from Australia and China will collaborate throughout the forum to foster new sustainable agriculture cooperation initiatives and build on existing ones,” Minister Ruston said.
“It is an opportunity for us to partner at a government, industry and organisational level to develop new sustainable agriculture practises that are at the cutting edge of science, technology and innovation.
“It will further strengthen our already strong relationship, as well as help Australian agricultural producers realise the opportunities under the China Australia Free Trade Agreement (ChAFTA).
“The Turnbull Government will be keenly watching the outcomes from this forum, especially in the four joint R&D projects outlined, including soil health, restoration of farmland waterways and improved water quality.”
The forum will run from 30 April to 4 May at the University of Tasmania's Sandy Bay campus.
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