Queenslanders urged to get behind AgDay

It’s a great initiative that is all about raising awareness and celebrating the important role Australian farmers play in feeding and clothing the world.

In Queensland, our farmers have a lot to be proud about.

The recent Agricultural Census revealed Queensland is now the most valuable agricultural state in the country, producing almost a quarter of Australia’s food and fibre.

More than 330,000 Queenslanders are employed across the whole food supply chain, meaning that about one in seven Queenslanders are either partially or entirely supported by the food sector.

The latest Department of Agriculture and Fisheries’ AgTrends report estimated the value of our primary industry commodities at the farm gate was about $15.5 billion in 2016/17, while a further $4.4 billion is generated in first-stage processing.

No matter where you are in Queensland, agriculture provides employment opportunities and supports small businesses that keep our country towns ticking.

While there’s no doubt agriculture is fundamental to our economy today, we are also an industry of the future, with our farmers the best in the business.

Our high-quality produce is sought after globally, and increasingly our biggest customers are right on our doorstep.

I’d encourage all Queensland farmers and anyone involved with agriculture to come together and celebrate their industry and way of life on National AgDay.

There are so many different ways you can rejoice in our primary production prowess.

Host a lunch with all-Aussie produce making up the menu, fire up a community barbecue and raise money for a good cause or simply share a pic of fabulous food and fibre on social media.

You can also get involved by taking part in the AgDay photo competition, which aims to show consumers the real faces of Australian agriculture and what we do best.

To find out more about AgDay and how to get involved, visit http://www.agday.org.au and share your celebrations via your social media networks using the hashtag #agday