Western Metropolitan Region
Dr CUMMING (Western Metropolitan) (12:50): (1917) My question is to the Minister for Agriculture, and it is from Tom, who is from Farmer Incubator in Keilor. Will the government invest in Farmer Incubator programs for aspiring regenerative farmers in Melbourne’s west? Drought, bushfires and flooding have shown us the importance of regenerative farming in ensuring both a stable food supply and sustainable land management, yet aspiring regenerative farmers are finding it hard to access land, training and other resources they need to launch farming careers. These barriers are only growing, and they particularly affect young people. We risk losing a new generation of farmers, yet the solutions are staring us in the face. Overseas experience has shown that farmer incubators are an effective model for fostering regenerative farmers, combining training, land access and mentoring.