The Queensland Farmers’ Federation (QFF) has partnered with Agritourism specialists Regionality to launch the Queensland Agritourism Roadmap to sow the seeds of opportunity for agritourism in the state as part of the Growing Queensland’s Agritourism Sector initiative.
The Roadmap will see stakeholders from across industry, government, tourism, regional development, small business, and infrastructure collaborating to create a direct connection between farmers and consumers to share where our state’s high quality food, fibre and foliage comes from and how it is produced.
QFF CEO Dr Georgina Davis said the Roadmap was a positive first step in raising Queensland to be the number one agritourism destination in Australia, estimating the sector was worth around $5 billion to the state economy by 2030.
“Agritourism provides opportunities for farmers to supplement their income and market their produce through alternative channels, while gathering valuable direct feedback including emerging preferences from consumers,” Dr Davis said.
“Consumers desire to better understand where their food comes from, learn how it is produced and experience the ultimate in low food miles by enjoying produce where it is produced. Agritourism has an important role in creating a more direct connection between the primary producer of food and drink, and the end consumer.”
“The Roadmap provides the opportunity for interested farmers to explore the viability of agritourism while ensuring they are given training and resources that will enable them to develop profitable agritourism enterprises in Queensland.”
Regionality Managing Director Rose Wright, who heads a team of farm innovation and agritourism specialists, said agritourism enables farmers to convert ordinary farm activities and under-utilised assets into extraordinary agritourism experiences by creating meaning and value through story.
“Restoring pride and identity, agritourism transforms farmers from price takers to price makers. It creates jobs, drives innovation and builds resilience,” Ms Wright said.
“The Roadmap identifies ways industry and government can work together to create an environment that will support agri-innovation, such as on farm value-adding and agritourism. Regulation and policy reform are important to helping farmers and regions to innovate in a way that compliments their core agricultural business.”
QFF and Regionality are looking forward to working with the new Queensland Government to unlock the potential for agritourism in the state and add value beyond the farm gate.
Source: QFF