Sandra Godwin
Weekly Times
June 18, 2009
June 18, 2009
The provision of horticultural extension services is being farmed out to industry bodies in Victoria, as the Department of Primary Industries undergoes further restructuring.
The DPI last month offered the lure of a state government grant while seeking expressions of interest from groups willing to employ industry development officers.
Horticulture program manager Euan Laird said the development officers would be part of a Horticulture Industry Network being developed by the DPI to address shortcomings in the system.
Mr Laird said many industry groups were trying to "do good work" but relying on memberships did not provide them with enough capital or a solid funding base.
So far more than 20 groups have taken part in information sessions to explain the plan, which will shift responsibility for extension programs from the DPI to industry bodies.
Victorian Wine Industry Association chief executive Joanne Butterworth-Gray said his organisation would seek funding to employ at least three IDOs, who would be responsible for providing agribusiness development, communication and extension activities to growers.
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