Organics business plan the most natural path to success

The OFA provides information and advocacy on behalf of producers and consumers of organic food.

Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Sussan Ley, launched the business plan at the presentation dinner for participants of the inaugural Enhancing Entrepreneurial Skills Course in Melbourne last night.

Ley congratulated the industry for undertaking the project.

“The quality of the business plan reflects the significant engagement of all parts of the organics industry in this process,” she said.

The business plan was developed under the Industry Partnerships Programme – Action Partnerships initiative. It is an Australian Government initiative that assists industry sectors to undertake practical projects that make a significant contribution to industry success.

With industry support, the OFA began a process of renewal over the last 12 months. The OFA approached the Australian Government for assistance with the aim of being self-sufficient within a year and the business plan will help achieve this.

Ley said the business plan examines a number of approaches to support the growth of the organics industry including increasing consumer awareness of organic produce, the development of a uniform national organic standard and a national branding strategy.

“The organics sector is one of the fastest growing agricultural industries in the world and it has shown great entrepreneurial skill in taking advantage of market demands.

“It’s great to see such a practical outcome from one of the Australian Government’s partnerships with industry and I’m sure it will boost the success of the organics industry as it continues to grow,” Ley said.