MORE than 30 interested locals gathered at Gunnible Pastoral on Thursday for a citrus industry field day.
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Hosted by Gunnedah Shire Council (GSC), the field day featured a variety of guest speakers from the NSW Department of Primary Industries (DPI) and some of Australia’s leading citrus companies.
GSC mayor Jamie Chaffey said the event was another step in council’s economic strategy.
“It’s a combination of GSC and our strong vision of economic development and the DPI to band together to get the information out there,” Cr Chaffey said.
“Activities like today, getting experts in their field, in citrus from all over Australia to come and inform local producers is critical for the long term future of our region and jobs.”
Cr Chaffey highlighted diversification of local agriculture as one of council’s top priorities.
“While we are a very strong agricultural community, we should always be looking and searching as primary producers of what the future may hold in terms of viability in this region,” he said.
“These events are so important for our local producers who may be looking to diversify and enter this industry.
“It allows them the chance to make those important contacts within the Australian citrus industry, and help them make an informed decision should they like to enter the industry.”
Gunnible Pastoral Company director Rob Hoddle told Fairfax Media the inaugural field day was “regionally specific”.
“We are trying to encourage people particularly in Gunnedah shire to invest in horticulture crop,” Mr Hoddle said.
“There is some great speakers here and the people here will get everything they need to know on agronomy, marketing and that sort of stuff.
“Really everything is covered.”
The NSW DPI lead off the proceedings with citrus development officer Andrew Creek speaking about agrnomy.
“Invest in bud-wood and aus-citrus, it’s an industry scheme that is here for the strength and good of our industry,” Andrew Creek said during his speech.
“Our latest project is a lot about cut and taste and explore the varieties of seedless citrus and give people the opportunity to look at them.”