Affordable degrees great news for agriculture

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The recent Federal Government announcement that it plans to reduce the cost of agriculture degrees by 62% is fantastic news for our industry.

With this decision, the government recognises agriculture as an essential industry now and into the future. It acknowledges that the industry is working hard during COVID-19 to keep Australians fed and clothed. Just as it has done – and will continue to do – through drought, fires, floods, trade disruptions and more.

As we continue to meet the challenge of producing more food and fibre with less land, less water and less inputs, agriculture’s adoption of new technology and innovation is more important that ever.

With the rise of technology, now is the perfect time to educate people for the jobs of the future in agriculture.

Agriculture has such a great value proposition for people starting their careers: as many other industries are contracting, agriculture is thriving. It is an industry of opportunity – we need agronomists, scientists, food technologists, IT specialists, marketers, data analysts – the business of food production is dynamic and ripe for disruption. 

Although agriculture has so much going for it, many young people in the cities aren’t aware of these opportunities. Making agriculture university courses more appealing will help to bridge that gap.

Agriculture needs to attract the best and brightest from both the cities and the country. We need the best people, from across different ages, genders and ethnic backgrounds. With a diverse workforce, we will pull in new and better ideas that help us innovate and place agriculture at the top of the list of desirable industries for young Australians.

At Nutrien Ag Solutions we’re committed to nurturing talented people from all backgrounds. One way we do this is through our Agronomy Graduate Program, which will welcome up to 10 graduates who will start their two year program in 2021. I urge any young ag science grad to apply and join our team to help partner with Australia’s farmers.