AUSTRALIAN YEAR OF THE FARMER

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO (14:43): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking the Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries a question about the Year of the Farmer.

Leave granted.

The Hon. CARMEL ZOLLO: As we all know, this year has been designated the Australian Year of the Farmer and is designed to highlight the huge contribution farming makes to the Australian economy. My question to the minister is: can she advise the chamber about what the state government is doing to mark the Australian Year of the Farmer?

The Hon. G.E. GAGO (Minister for Agriculture, Food and Fisheries, Minister for Forests, Minister for Regional Development, Minister for Tourism, Minister for the Status of Women) (14:44): Indeed, farming has been a very integral part of South Australia's identity from our earliest days. Despite countless seasons passing, some good and some bad, our farmers continue to play a vital role in our community. Not only do our farmers assist in feeding and clothing us but they contribute to food security and also clothing for many millions around the world.

With 2012 being the Australian Year of the Farmer, it is an opportunity for all of us to contemplate the significant contribution that our farmers make to our life and community. This contribution spreads across the whole supply chain, supporting many more jobs in associated fields, such as food processing, transport and the like. In 2011-12, the farming industry contributed just under $14 billion (and this does not include the wine sector) to the South Australian economy, and it employed just over 140,000 people. When wine is included, the contribution to our economy grows to about $15.4 billion.

In recent years, the gap between city and country seems to have grown, with many people losing their connection with and understanding about our farmers and an understanding about the grassroot products they produce, particularly our primary produce. It is unfortunate that many Australians, particularly the younger ones, believe that food is grown in packages on supermarket shelves rather than it coming from farms. I think this disconnect is a real challenge for all of us who are engaged in the agriculture community. This year provides an opportunity to raise awareness about how and where our food and fibre are produced and who produces them.

In 2012, the Australian Year of the Farmer is a great time and a great opportunity for Australians to reconnect with their farming communities. As part of this, we are bringing together the city and the country, with a series of exhibitions in Rundle Mall highlighting our premium food and wine from our clean environment. I was delighted to launch the first of these exhibits today. It is very appropriate that here in South Australia the first exhibit chosen to kick off the series was grains; after all, it is the state's largest agricultural export commodity and it is worth as much as $4.6 billion a year to our economy.

We will have other displays in the mall over the next few weeks—we will have five exhibits over five weeks—in the lead-up to the Royal Adelaide Show, South Australia's large annual event where the city has an opportunity to meet the country. Future displays will focus on aquaculture and fisheries; horticulture, wine and citrus; livestock and wool; and land management. Through these exhibits, we hope that people can find out more about where their food comes from and how farmers are using really smart and quite fascinating technology to enable them to improve the productivity and sustainability of agriculture.

The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has also developed a series of eight information pamphlets or material outlining the contribution of agriculture to the South Australian economy, and these will also be an ongoing resource covering issues such as horticulture, forestry, grains, wine, livestock, fisheries, aquaculture and biosecurity, etc. As well, six young people involved in farming or farm-related activities will be given an opportunity to attend the Australian Year of the Farmer farming expo during 2012-13, and that will be a great opportunity for them. The recipients will be chosen in conjunction with a male and female rural ambassador and youth ambassador who are farmers or contribute to farming, and the winners of the Rural Youth and Peter Olsen awards.

A travelling expo will feature at this year's Royal Adelaide Show. I urge people to take the opportunity to visit and reconnect with that very important part of South Australian life. My agency (PIRSA) has also entered into the spirit of things by publicising through its communications sponsorship to the 2013 Rural Women's Gathering to be held in August this year in Penola. The gathering was set up to help women upskill with a range of workshops and inspirational and interesting speakers such as Ita Buttrose.

We have much to celebrate in agriculture in South Australia and I am very pleased that we can use this year to help celebrate and place some focus and attention on our farmers and the enormous contribution they make to our lives. I encourage members to pop down to the mall and enjoy the exhibits over the next number of weeks.

The PRESIDENT: The Hon. Ms Bressington has a supplementary question.