17 June 2011
DAFF11/179L
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Joe Ludwig, today announced FarmReady Reimbursement Grants will be expanded to include agritourism and food tourism training.
Minister Ludwig said the expansion of the FarmReady program, which boosts training opportunities for primary producers, wild game harvesters and Indigenous land managers by helping them attend approved training courses, was a key election commitment.
“Including agritourism and food tourism training in the FarmReady program will help fill the gap between agricultural sector skills and the skills required for tourism,” Minister Ludwig said.
“This gap was identified in the ABARES 2010 study Drivers of regional agritourism and food tourism in Australia, where it was found that agritourism opportunities are often underutilised on farms.
“Whether it’s picking your own fruit, catching trout at a fish farm, helping muster cattle or making your own wine, the farming sector offers many valuable experiences for families, couples and individuals off the beaten tourism track.”
Minister Ludwig said the $34.4 million FarmReady program has been remarkably successful, providing over 22,000 training opportunities to primary producers, wild game harvesters and indigenous land managers since February 2009.
“The program was so popular that funding for the financial year was exhausted by November 2010,” Minister Ludwig said.
“The high level of interest shows that primary producers recognise the future benefits of training for their businesses.”
Minister Ludwig said when the program re-opens on 1 July 2011 changes will be introduced to extend the availability of funds and make the program accessible to more primary producers.
“Primary producers and wild game harvesters will now be entitled to a reimbursement of 65% of the costs of approved courses,” Minister Ludwig said.
“While they will be asked to make a contribution to the cost of their training, there is no change in the total amount of funding an individual can claim under the scheme.
“Each primary producer can still claim up to a maximum $1500 each financial year, with funding up to $500 also available to assist with travel, accommodation and child care expenses.
“These changes will ensure that funding is available over the coming year to fund more opportunities for more primary producers”.
“The arrangements for indigenous land managers will not change and they will be eligible for a 100% reimbursement of the cost of approved training courses up to the maximum of $1500 annually.
For further information about FarmReady visit www.daff.gov.au/farmready
