The Victorian Farmers Federation (VFF) is encouraging farmers and regional Victorians to have their say in the second annual State of the State: Victorian Farmer Priorities
Survey, in what’s shaping as a regional |temperature check ahead of November’s Victorian State Election.
The survey aims to capture the issues, challenges and opportunities facing Victorian agriculture, providing a Statewide snapshot of farmer sentiment in every corner of Victoria.
VFF president Ryan Milgate said the survey would ensure the priorities of farmers and regional communities were front and centre as political parties develop policies and make commitments in the lead-up to the election.
“Victoria’s farmers are facing no shortage of challenges, from the woefully wrong Emergency Services and Volunteer Fund and the battle to protect farming land through to our dangerous and decrepit rural roads,” he said.
“We also looking for practical solutions that farmers to continue producing the food and fibre our state depends on.
“Over the next few months, we’ll hear plenty of promises from politicians, but it’s vital those promises reflect the realities facing farming businesses and regional communities.
“This survey gives farmers the opportunity to tell us what’s changed over the past year, what’s improved, what’s become more difficult and what they want to see from the next Victorian Government,” Mr Milgate said.
Last year’s inaugural State of the State survey attracted more than 700 responses from farmers across people in regional Victoria, providing one of the most comprehensive snapshots of farmer sentiment undertaken by the VFF.
It found:
– Nine in 10 farmers didn’t believe the Victorian Government understood local issues or had a positive plan to grow the industry
– Farmers outlined increases to the Emergency Services and Volunteers Fund, the state of regional roads, maintaining our biosecurity safety net and steamrolling of renewable energy infrastructure developments as their top issues.
“Last year’s feedback painted a picture of absolute frustration from regional Victorians. On year on, it will be interesting to check that sentiment again,” Mr Milgate said.
The survey will be open until Thursday, August 20 and can be found on the VFF website.
