Namoi Unlimited is seeking $2 million from the state government for a significant research and development project to boost agricultural opportunities and economies across the district.
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The funding is being sought over four-years to help fund the innovation project, which aims to build an agricultural supercluster in the Namoi region.
Project partners, Namoi Unlimited and the Future Food Systems Cooperative Research Centre (CRC), would match the funding with $2 million cash and in-kind support.
Namoi Unlimited chair Jamie Chaffey said the "exciting project" aimed to "build value in our beef, lamb, poultry and grain industries".
"The Namoi region is one of Australia's most productive food bowls; however, we believe the full value of local agriculture is yet to be realised," Cr Chaffey said.
"This project seeks to identify and provide value-adding to local farm production by increasing local food manufacturing, logistics and food technology businesses."
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Namoi Unlimited's proposal involves a detailed analysis of existing agricultural operations and future growth sectors to identify strategic opportunities for investment.
Member councils would work alongside the Future Food Systems CRC and research partners University of New England and the University of NSW to deliver world-class planning in agriculture, food manufacturing, logistics and circular economy technology.
Future Food Systems CRC chief executive officer, David Eyre, said that Future Food Systems CRC and Namoi Unlimited would work with industry stakeholders to evaluate the natural strengths of the region and find opportunities for specialization.
"We want to know how farmers and manufacturers zero in on the most sustainable and profitable product mix. What is genuinely feasible?" he said.
Namoi Unlimited believe the Namoi region and its farmers are geographically and reputationally well-placed as an ideal site for an agrifood cluster.
"The overarching aim of this project is to help the Namoi region to capture more of the high-end value of our world-class goods. It's about planning for a future where agriculture can connect with manufacturers through streamlined logistic systems," says Cr Chaffey.
"As our communities recover from drought and COVID-19, it's essential that we continue to push for innovation and new opportunities to deliver jobs and economic benefits into the future."
Members of the community who wish to learn more about the proposed supercluster and its benefits are invited to attend a ZOOM information session on Monday, August 17 August from 12.15 pm.
The session will run for 60 minutes.
This can be accessed via https://zoom.us/j/97635160304?pwd=ZjZRUS9leTRWdW5wTW9Pb21ZVHQwZz09
The meeting ID is 976 3516 0304 and the password is 553220.