Innovation costs hinder food security path

BENEFITS of cheaper electricity have been questioned if food prices tripled.

‘Victorian Farmers’ Federation president Emma Germano made the comment at a Rural Press Club of Victoria breakfast on Friday discussing the supply chain’s role in Australia’s food security.

Ms Germano said plans for transmission ljnes through prime agricultural land would be a major mistake.

Ms Germano, Bayer Crop Science managing director Warren Inwood international agricultural researcher Dr Leigh Vial also spoke on the supply chain’s role in Australian food security.

Mr Inwood said innovation and technology were reliable tools for Australian farmers to remain competitive.

He said Australia needed to improve its access to skills and staff to be a reliable export partner.

“Innovation and technology are core to producing more,” he said.

Mr Inwood said it had become harder to find safe and affordable products within regulatory frameworks. “One of the limitations is the cost of research and development,” he said.

Ms Germano said Australia had been bouncing from one disaster to another - COVID, drought, floods - without thinking about the future of agriculture. And she said the political cycle had not helped agricultural planning.

“Food security doesn’t win too many votes,” Ms Germano said.

The role of supermarkets in the supply chain came under scrutiny during the panel discussion with Ms Germano saying they had taken the narrative away from farmers.

Panel members also spoke how inflation, the pandemic and climate can impact the supply chain. Speakers said an efficient supply chain in Australia was important.

Mr Inwood said Australian growers were currently not operating on the same level playing field.Farmers were in a highly competitive environment without the subsidies of some countries.

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