innovative agribusiness collaboration roadmap

THE AGRIBUSINESS INNOVATION ROADMAP PROJECT

G21 Agribusiness Forum’s Innovation Roadmap project was supported by the Victorian Government’s Food Source Victoria program, the City of Greater Geelong, Golden Plains Shire, Colac Otway Shire, Surf Coast Shire, the G21 Region Alliance and the Committee for Geelong.

Key elements of the project were:

• Identifying and mapping of G21 region agribusiness value chains.

• 16 potential collaborative projects were identified from discussions with value chain participants.

• Selection of 8 projects for further scoping of suitability, level of innovation, regional impact and readiness for implementation.

• Implementation of 3 commercial collaborative development projects.

The 3 projects implemented received consulting assistance with establishing the commercial bases for proceeding, scoping collaborative activities, discussions with project participants, preparing project budgets, developing governance arrangements, identifying funding requirements, and developing business cases and detailed implementation plans. All three projects will continue beyond the life of our project.

THE 3 IMPLEMENTED PROJECTS

Collaborative olives business model and grove services

Working with several small olive growers to develop collaborative management, processing and marketing of extra virgin olive oil. Building on background analysis by Mt Moriac Olives (project champion) to scope market opportunities, develop administrative structures for collaboration, scope new investment, attract capital, and recruit/contract participants and alliance partners.

Niche paddock to plate value chain

Establishing collaborative value chains for small boutique meat producers (including goat, deer, alpaca, llama, sheep, ostrich, pigs and cattle). Working with Koallah Farm (project champion) to ensure an innovative, long term sustainable solution that facilitates access to high value markets including export.

Logistics and retail platform for small food producers

Working with The Food Purveyor (project champion)to create a collaborative supply chain system to assist small food producers to move from farm gate or farmers market type sales to become suppliers to retail supermarkets, speciality stores and food service groups. Includes building skills of participants, recruiting retailers, and development of a shared transport and logistics platform for supply.