Getting back to the land
Push to get agricultural degrees into Cairns universities to help drive innovation Schools in farming jobs drive
A DIMBULAH woman is pushing to get agricultural degrees in Cairns universities.
Far North Queensland Agriculture Workforce manager Leanne Kruss wants to give young professionals a chance to stay in the region and work in Tablelands agriculture.
“At the moment, there’s nothing offered above southeast Queensland and we lose our students who want to take on a career in agriculture because they go down there to study and, quite often, don’t come back,” she said.
“Being the biggest grossing region in terms of agriculture in Queensland, we need to create those pathways up here in the Far North.”
Ms Kruss works in sugar, beef, aquaculture and broadacre crops.
Her three-degree proposal includes modern agriculture (plant and animal science), agricultural mechanical engineering and technology.
“More and more farms are requiring less low skilled workers as we go through and make these progressive, technological changes to the industry,” Ms Kruss said.
“But what we need is skilled workers able to develop that technology and design things like state-of-the-art packing sheds and other equipment.
“The types of jobs in agriculture are definitely changing.”
Ms Kruss also heads workforce development plans for Costa Berries, which recently acquired the Lancaster farm at Tolga, and is pushing for an abattoir at Hughenden.
“The purpose of those plans is to create a sustainable workforce within the Far North so they don’t have to search outside the region to fill their labour needs,” Ms Kruss said.
Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association president Joe Moro said the aim was to alleviate a shortage of agricultural workers.
“Our industry must be both agile and proactive in trying to maintain a stable workforce,” Mr Moro said. “The work that Leanne does on behalf of QAWN is extremely helpful to the entire Mareeba district and I am confident the programs she has put in place will ensure a thriving agricultural sector for many years to come.” banana and sugarcane farms destroyed in Cyclone Yasi.
Biofuels vision pushed by sugarcane industry earmarked to create jobs. Census data 2016 THE Federal Government’s focus on developing Northern Australia means a strong future workforce is needed on the Atherton Tablelands.
Far North Queensland Agriculture Workforce manager Leanne Kruss has ramped up her efforts with local schools to promote agriculture as a career.
“The region is very passionate about agriculture and is only going to keep growing,” she said.
“At a national level, the Federal Government is focusing on the development of Northern Australia so it is crucial we are set up to meet future demands placed on our workforce.”
The White Paper on Developing Northern Australia says the region could become an “agricultural powerhouse”.
The need for building water resources was highlighted with the potential for agriculture land to grow by up to five times.
A key project she has helped establish is the Natural Science Award, which recognises Far Northern Year 12 students who have excelled in agriculture and natural science.
She said the program gaining momentum.
“The number of applicants for the award increases each year as the students recognise that agriculture is a really viable career pathway,” Ms Kruss said. is