Once in a generation opportunity
Over the past few months, QFVG has delivered Geared Up Growers Negotiation Tactics Masterclasses across Queensland. We watched on as growers built their knowledge, skills, and confidence.
Specifically, this confidence is in speaking up and asking for help, and confidence in QFVG as an organisation to have their back and to truly listen to what they have to say; to respond and be their voice.
The stories that emerged from the masterclasses have been equal parts humbling and worrying. Humbling as growers detail the enormous challenges they face to provide us with fresh, high-quality food. The worry is whether we have enough time to make a difference in their lives, their businesses, and in the sector before growers exit.
Across the state, growers have expressed that this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for sector-wide reform around perishable produce – otherwise they won’t survive, putting food security at risk.
Growers understand that consolidation of farms and rationalisation is inevitable. It’s happening now. Their question is: “Who will survive?” Meanwhile, many are hanging on, waiting for things to get better, and waiting for the outcomes of the various supermarket inquiries and Hort Code review.
We are pleased to see that growers are starting to speak up and tell their stories and trust us to keep their anonymity. We’ve heard some doozies - from the box black market to growers having never met their agents or reviewed their working relationship after decades of working with them.
The project, now the Queensland Masterclasses are complete, is moving into a model of 1:1 mentoring support. This 1:1 customised support puts the grower and their business at the centre and works with them on maximising positive change to their bottom line.
Requests for assistance include:
Review and update growers’ contract position with Woolworths and Coles.
How best to position farms for sale as several growers look to exit the industry (retiring with no succession plan).
Reviewing Horticulture Produce Agreements with growers who are frustrated with their current Agreements – particularly the lack of visibility of prices paid.
How to respond to Woolworths buyers when they contact growers seeking to drop the price of already committed products.
How to manage a breach of the Food and Grocery Code and the Hort Code.
How to maximise a buyer meeting on-farm.
So, what’s next? It’s important to us to provide a bridge to further professional development opportunities identified by growers including financial literacy, business acumen, and management support, for instance.
We’ll be doing more in this space over the coming months as we try to maximise opportunities through the Queensland Farmers’ Federation AgSmart subsidised training initiative and put forward a cohesive set of horticulture-specific training priorities.
We will also be putting forward a young industry leaders program, a need which has strongly emerged throughout this time.
Reform may be once in a generation, but there are multiple generations who will deal with the impacts, and who therefore need a voice at the table.
