Olives, crocodiles, alpacas, Asian vegetables and native foods are just a few of the new enterprises that are helping farmers diversify their businesses, and providing distinct regional flavours to rural areas, towns and communities, according to Rural Industries Research and Development Corporation (RIRDC) Managing Director Dr Peter O’Brien.

“New industries and products enhance regional tourism by creating a regional flavour; they deliver environmental benefits; and they boost the productivity of other agricultural industries,” said Dr O’Brien.

Dr O’Brien was speaking at the Growing Regions Conference, hosted by the Australian Government Department of Transport and Regional Services in Brisbane this week.

The RIRDC-sponsored conference has brought together leading contemporary regional policy experts from across the globe to discuss regional development.
 “New industries contribute strongly to regional differentiation, which attracts tourism,” Dr O’Brien said.

“Weekend visitors to an Australian region can now enjoy amazing regional produce – from a tropical experience of rainforest fruits, crocodile steak and Australian gourmet coffee, to a temperate feast of truffles, extra virgin olive oil and sheep milk cheeses.”

“In the past twenty years there has been remarkable growth in new industries like the Australian olive industry, viticulture, organic foods, coffee, green tea, alpacas and essential oils. These are now an important part of the national rural sector,” Dr O’Brien said.

But these new rural industries do face challenges.

They have particular challenges in the establishing strong industry organizations, and developing continuity of quality and supply. They have particular concerns about market access, with more difficulties than major commodity producers in gaining market access. They also have all of the needs of traditional industries— the need for innovation, for research and development, but they lack the established financial base to underpin these needs.

 “RIRDC is committed to providing research and development to support more resilient, sustainable and profitable rural industries and communities,” Dr O’Brien said.

 “RIRDC is supporting these industries by investing in innovation. We are developing better systems for feeding farmed crocodiles, breeding more resilient varieties of olive trees for Australia’s regional conditions, and developing a stronger and more competitive essential oils industry.

“I believe that, with the right assistance, these industries will increasingly contribute to regional growth in Australia,” Dr O’Brien said. “By reducing some of the hazards for emerging industries we can prime the pump for prosperity in regional Australia.”

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Media inquiries: RIRDC - Martin Field - Phone 02 6272 4735 or martin.field@rirdc.gov.au