AGRIBUSINESS

National Agriculture Day celebrates farming

TODAY is National Agriculture Day and the National Farmers' Federation (NFF) is encouraging Aussies to picture themselves in a career in one of the nation's most important industries.

Staff writer
 Today is National Agriculture Day. Picture Mark Saunders.

Today is National Agriculture Day. Picture Mark Saunders.

Developing the next breakthrough wheat variety, mustering the boundary of an outback cattle station, improving Australia's soil health or negotiating trade deals - the career opportunities in agriculture are endless, the NFF says.

"COVID-19 has also prompted many of us to revaluate where we live and what we do for a living," NFF president Fiona Simson said.

"AgDay also comes when so many young people are deciding ‘where to now' after finishing school or university or considering how to fill in their summer holidays.

"On National Ag Day, we're kick starting a conversation about the opportunities in our food and fibre industries and challenging Aussies to ‘Choose their AgVenture'."

Simson said no matter your interest, skillset or location, there was an opportunity for everyone somewhere in agriculture.

"There are careers in fields as diverse as animal husbandry, finance, digital technology, science, machine operation, marketing, trade and policy development. Full-time jobs, part-time jobs, seasonal work - there are so many ways to get involved in agriculture and to play a role in feeding and clothing the world, sustaining our regional economies and powering the economy."

Simson said worker shortages in the horticulture sector were much talked about and had become particularly critical with COVID-19 restrictions, but the shortages were not limited to seasonal on-farm work.

"It is a widespread problem that, as an industry, we have to address with urgency and focus.

"It's a challenge that each individual can contribute to solving, by creating an awareness of the pathways on offer. The NFF has a goal to increase agriculture's workforce by 25 per cent by 2030."

Today, the NFF is leading the nation in a celebration of Australian farmers, food and fibre.

To find out what career in agriculture you could be best suited to, take the #AgDay Quiz at www.agday.org.au

Or you can check out the AgVenture Careers Expo, showcasing some of the diverse career pathways on offer in agriculture here www.agday.org.au/careers-expo

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