ABARES Executive Director Dr Jared Greenville says Australia’s experience in agricultural policy reform offers a pathway for other developed countries.
A new ABARES Insights paper covers how Australia’s agriculture sector reforms over the past half century have prioritised innovation, productivity, resilience and open markets.
“Australia’s policy approach to agriculture has changed considerably over time,” Dr Greenville said.
“Like many developed countries today, our sector once relied on high levels of distortionary support and rigid marketing systems, which placed brakes on productivity growth and held back our international competitiveness.”
Before reform, Australia had around 60 agricultural marketing authorities that controlled the pricing and selling of many agricultural products.
Today, the sector is thriving; it is internationally competitive, market-responsive and more resilient to evolving dynamics.
“Our experience shows international partners on their own reform journeys, that it is possible to overcome big challenges and build an internationally competitive and thriving agricultural sector with a strong environmental record,” Dr Greenville said.
“Consensus-building, a coherent reform program and the repurposing agricultural support towards research and innovation were key to our success.
“Underpinned by the reforms made to agriculture, the sector has continued to grow, with real incomes for broadacre farms growing at an annual rate of 1.6%, and 1.5% for dairy, between 1990 and 2024.
“The real gross value of farm production also grew 80% over the past five decades.”
Source: ABARES To view or download the Insights paper visit: https://www.agriculture.gov.