Griffith Industry Tour
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In March 2020, we organised and coordinated a tour for local producers of the Griffith, Whitton and Coleambally areas, in the north-western region of the Riverina region of New South Wales.
Whilst it was a challenge in COVID-regulation times, our organisers, Stacey and Amy, did a great job in selecting a line-up of some of the most impressive and inspiring businesses that have successfully innovated existing product or created new products utilising spare capacity. Many of the businesses that the group visited looked at value-adding options, supply chain innovation, collaboration and diversification opportunities. |
A few key take outs and highlights from the group included:
- Being introduced to sun-drying heat tunnel technology and water-saving technology which has increased water efficiency significantly at Naturally Dried Prunes.
- Traceability of product was interesting to the group as displayed by Aquna Murray Cod who implement a vertical integration system, meaning that they can trace their product at every stage of the supply chain.
- Coleambally Community Farm, a 379 Ha non-for-profit working demonstration farm which allows various community organisations to participate in various agricultural pursuits for experimental, demonstration and fund-raising purposes.
- A tour of Australian Made Panel board (AMPAN), panel board that is made from fractured rice stubble. Unlike standard chipboard or MDF, the production of AMPAN does not rely on the use of timber but fractured rice stubble providing a solution for farmers post-harvest.
- Being introduced to sun-drying heat tunnel technology and water-saving technology which has increased water efficiency significantly at Naturally Dried Prunes.
- Traceability of product was interesting to the group as displayed by Aquna Murray Cod who implement a vertical integration system, meaning that they can trace their product at every stage of the supply chain.
- Coleambally Community Farm, a 379 Ha non-for-profit working demonstration farm which allows various community organisations to participate in various agricultural pursuits for experimental, demonstration and fund-raising purposes.
- A tour of Australian Made Panel board (AMPAN), panel board that is made from fractured rice stubble. Unlike standard chipboard or MDF, the production of AMPAN does not rely on the use of timber but fractured rice stubble providing a solution for farmers post-harvest.
One attendee commented that he was impressed by what can be achieved when "community has a can-do attitude and gets on with the job and finds huge capital through partnering and collaboration to bring different skill sets in to achieve a common goal."
Throughout the tour the group got a taste of fresh local produce and sampled some of the local brews on offer.
We will be running another industry tour later in the year, with a location still to be decided.
Throughout the tour the group got a taste of fresh local produce and sampled some of the local brews on offer.
We will be running another industry tour later in the year, with a location still to be decided.
Funding Partners
This project was funded by the Australian Government under the Murray–Darling Basin Economic Development Program.
The Griffith Industry Tour is part of our Wakool Agri-Innovation Program.
The Griffith Industry Tour is part of our Wakool Agri-Innovation Program.
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