The State Government of South Australia has awarded AU$43,500 to the Potato Industry for initiatives to make sure workers have skills to meet increasing production demands.
Potatoes South Australia will receive the money to plan for the future needs across the five key potato growing regions – Kangaroo Island, the Mallee, the Riverland/Murraylands, the Northern Adelaide Plains and the South East.
South Australia currently produces 80 per cent of the nation’s fresh washed potatoes.
The wine industry is also receiving a contribution.
Minister for Skills Grace Portolesi said the funding is going to industries, where investment in the skills of its workers will help stimulate economic growth and support the State’s Premium Food and Wine from our Clean Environment strategic priority.
“We need to make sure our workers have the skills to work in growth areas,” she said. “These grants are a co-investment with industry and a great example of the Government working with employers to ensure they have a highly skilled and capable workforce.
“Two groups have been successful in winning funding in the latest round of grants to plan for the future staffing needs in their industries.”
Minister for Agriculture Food and Fisheries Gail Gago said there is potential for our potato industry to grow, particularly in exports.
“Only two per cent of the fresh washed potatoes are currently for export,” Ms Gago said. “There are significant opportunities to grow export markets, especially to Asia, where demand is high and increasing.
“To capitalise on this the industry needs support to improve production methods, workforce skill needs and practices.”
The State Government of South Australia has invested strongly in skills and training.
