The Andrews Labor Government’s co-investment in rain-resistant grapes is paying dividends for the Sunraysia region.
Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria, Danielle Green joined the Chief Executive Officer and Chair of Dried Fruits Australia at a farm in Irymple today to see the benefits of the Labor Government’s investment.
In 2015, the Labor Government provided around $429,000 to Dried Fruits Australia through the Dried Vine Fruit Diversification and Sustainability Initiative to help producers to return production to a sustainable minimum level of 30,000 tonnes each year.
Growers provided co-contributions of around $3.6 million.
The initiative has been highly successful, delivering more than 273 hectares of new development – an increase on the 180 hectares estimated at the outset of the initiative.
This success was achieved by adopting best management practices and new, rain-resistant varieties, allowing the industry to be more resilient to climate change impacts.
The first round of funded development is currently ready to be harvested, showcasing a great example of Victorian Government agencies and industries working together to deliver gains in productivity and sustainability.
Quotes attributable to Parliamentary Secretary for Regional Victoria Danielle Green
“This is a perfect example of government and industry working collaboratively to enhance and diversify Sunraysia’s table grape industry.”
“As an ex Sultana Sam girl during my teens in Mildura, I am so proud to back this initiative in my old stamping ground”
“Through this initiative we have been able to increase productivity and sustainability by trialling new dried vine fruit varieties, supported by a state of the art processing facility in Sunraysia.”