Andrew Jeffers, interim CEO of Food and Fibre Great South Coast, shares his insights on water security challenges facing Southwest Victoria's $4.6 billion agricultural sector. From his unique perspective bridging water management and agriculture, Andrew discusses climate adaptation strategies, infrastructure needs, and the current Western Sustainable Water Strategy

The conversation also explores the broader challenges facing regional agriculture, including labour and workforce shortages, the role of technology, leadership development and the importance of investing in the skills and productivity of the people already working within the industry.

We discuss:

• Andrew's journey from the water sector into agricultural advocacy

• The role of Food and Fibre Great South Coast

• Why natural rainfall has historically been a competitive advantage for the region

• What recent dry conditions have exposed about water security

• The infrastructure challenges facing Southwest Victorian agriculture

• Why dairy farms require such large and reliable volumes of water

• Preparing farm businesses for a drier and more variable climate

• The Western Sustainable Water Strategy and its 50-year outlook

• Why farmer and community input is essential

• Labour shortages and the future agricultural workforce

• The role of technology in attracting people to agriculture

• Investing in leadership, education, efficiency and on-farm productivity

Visit the Food & Fibre Great South Coast website for all of the resources and factsheet or complete the farmer survey about water security

Submissions to the Western Region Sustainable Water Strategy are open until 30th August, please access this here

In the spirit of reconciliation we would like to acknowlegde the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

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