The Australia Awards Short Course on Grains Value Chain Leadership Program is once again linking Australia and Indonesia, having brought a strong group of 25 future leaders from Indonesia’s grain industry to Australia to further their knowledge, skills and networks.
The group arrived in Perth on July 20, before embarking on an intensive, two-week program across Australia to visit a farm, plant breeding facilities, a grain export terminal, a flour mill and various organisations and companies. The journey culminated in the group’s attendance at the Australian Grains Industry Conference (AGIC) in Melbourne on July 30-31, all while meeting and learning from people across all facets of the Australian grain industry.
Grains Australia, which is an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC), is co-investing in the program with the IA CEPA ECP Katalis program and collaborating with industry to deliver the course.
“The Australia Awards Short Course is a tremendous program of cooperation between Australia and Indonesia, with positive benefits for all involved,” Grains Australia Chief Executive Officer Richard Simonaitis said.
“Indonesia is a major market for Australian grain, but trade between near neighbours is so much about the relationship between countries and the people involved – relationships that are deepened through knowledge and interaction.
“The Australia Awards Short Course is actually much longer than the two-week program might suggest. It offers participants greater awareness of all aspects of the grains supply chain, improved business networks and enhanced collaboration, including a mentoring program that continues for months after the initial tour, from which all involved gain great insights.
“Grains Australia and all those involved in delivering this program appreciate the commitment and enthusiasm of course participants, which underlines great opportunities for Indonesia and Australia that help better prepare both countries for the future in meeting the challenges of ensuring long-term food security.”
The Australia Awards Short Course on Grains Value Chain Leadership Program is funded through co-investment by Grains Australia and the IA CEPA ECP Katalis program, an Indonesian and Australian government initiative specifically created to maximise the benefit of the Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Arrangement (IA CEPA). This program is developed and delivered in collaboration with industry partners Grains Australia, the Indonesian Flour Milling Association (APTINDO), and the Indonesian Feedmills Association (GPMT).
The program is managed by Australia Awards in Indonesia (AAI) and implemented by The University of Queensland (UQ).
Organisations including the Australian Export Grains Innovation Centre (AEGIC), CBH Group, GrainGrowers Limited, the Grain Industry Association of Western Australia (GIWA), Grain Producers Australia (GPA), the GRDC, InterGrain, Allied Pinnacle, Clear Grain Exchange and Grain Trade Australia (GTA) are working closely with Grains Australia on delivering the program.
Caption: Grains Australia CEO Richard Simonaitis with short course participants at AGIC Australia in Melbourne. Photo: AGIC Australia
Caption: The short course participants visiting Glenrowan Farms near York, Western Australia Photo: GIWA.
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Media enquiries – Natalie Lee – media@grainsaustralia.com.au
About Grains Australia
Grains Australia delivers value to the Australian grains industry through the provision of industry services and functions including management of trade market access, classification, market insights and market education that improves the industry’s competitiveness and profitability.
Grains Australia is an initiative of the Grains Research and Development Corporation (GRDC). GRDC leads investment in grains research, development and extension (RD&E) in Australia to create enduring profitability for grain growers.
A partnership between the Australian Government and grain growers, GRDC’s primary objective is to drive the discovery, development and delivery of world-class innovation to enhance the productivity, profitability and sustainability of Australian grain growers and benefit the industry and the wider community.