20 May 2008 |
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| ABARE to survey vegetable growers |
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| Beginning this week, vegetable growers across Australia will be surveyed by ABARE about the profitability of Australia’s vegetable growing regions and the issues faced by growers. The survey will explore characteristics of vegetable growing businesses including production, cost structures, profitability, and efficiency as well as demographics, socioeconomic circumstances of people in the industry and the future business intentions of growers. This survey is the first of the three vegetable surveys ABARE will conduct on behalf of Horticulture Australia Limited, with further surveys in 2009 and 2010. John Webster, Managing Director, Horticulture Australia Limited, said industry-wide data was an essential tool in setting a strategic direction and in developing research and development programs. “The ultimate outcome from the effective use of this data will be a more viable vegetable industry – one that enjoys improved profitability, is internationally competitive and adopting best practice techniques,” Mr Webster said. ABARE Executive Director, Phillip Glyde, emphasised the importance of the survey. “We need accurate information from growers so we can provide valuable information to improve the future of the industry, and I strongly encourage vegetable growers to participate,” Mr Glyde said. Interviews of vegetable growers will be conducted through face-to-face interviews by official ABARE field collectors. All information provided remains confidential and will not identify individuals or their businesses. Survey results are expected to be released in August 2008. Information collected from these surveys and information from the 2007 survey - funded by the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry - will create a rich time-series data set on which the industry can draw. This project was funded by Horticulture Australia Limited using the vegetable levy and matched funding from the Australian Government. |
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| For further information about the survey and for media interviews, please contact Dale Ashton, Survey Analysis Section, on 02 6272 2368, mobile or email dashton@abare.gov.au To speak with Horticulture Australia Limited please contact Dzintra Horder, project manager, on 02 8295 2334, mobile 0418 287 974 or email dzintra.horder@hortiuculture.com.au For general media enquiries, contact Maree Finnegan, Media Coordinator on 02 6272 2260, mobile 0417 689 567 or email mfinnegan@abare.gov.au |
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