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Diversification has long been touted as a means to spread risk, improve profitability and achieve improved sustainability, according to Dr Rob Fletcher.
However, farmers looking to undertake new enterprises often have a range of motives.
"Ask any innovator why he or she is obsessed with something new and the replies can be quite surprising" said Dr Fletcher, a new crops researcher and developer at the University of Queensland Gatton.
“New crop advocates usually say they were motivated by the belief they could improve profitability and the primary purpose is to make money. However, this is often found not to be the real reason!”
Dr Fletcher said one of the principal drivers of activity in new crops appears to be curiosity.
“Many primary producers and entrepreneurs are willing to try something, simply because it is scarce and the scarcer the better."
"In addition, growers have often expressed a desire to be able to afford to improve their properties so they can be passed on to the next generation in a better condition than they received them."
Dr Fletcher said there is a broad range of reasons behind the rising interest in new crops.
"Is it any wonder that planning for new crop commercialisation is often so confused, when the purpose changes, depending on whether we are taking the short, medium or long-term view?"
These issues and many others will be the topic of workshops, presentations and discussions during the Second Australian New Crops Conference to be held at the University of Queensland Gatton from 20-24 September 2004.
International experts and speakers from throughout Australia will be available to advise on a wide range of potential new crops and all aspects of new crop commercialisation.
Further information can be obtained from Sally Brown, the conference organiser, on 07 3201 2808 or the conference website at http://www.newcrops.uq.edu.au.nc2004/
Rob Fletcher has been facilitating new crop development throughout Australia for more than a decade.
Copies of most RIRDC reports
can be downloaded free of charge from the RIRDC website www.rirdc.gov.au,
which has more than 1000 research reports on a wide range of rural industries.
Hard copies can be purchased
online or by phone (02) 6272 4819. A free publication catalogue is also
available.
ENDS
Media inquiries
Sally Brown sally.brown@uq.net.au
07 3201 2808 or
Rob Fletcher r.fletcher@uq.edu.au
0401 715 717
RIRDC Murray Hansen (02)
6272 4735 or 0422 996 525
 
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