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INNOVATION IN PRACTICE
Investing in the Ag landscape from the ground up
In the next five years, BASF is doubling down on its commitment to research and development in the Australian market.
By David Elmouttie, Head of Broadacre at BASF Australia & New Zealand
Tamworth NSW to help attract and retain the best in- dustry talent. For Australian farmers, trusted informa- tion is everything. It’s the difference between sound decision making rather than relying on ‘gut feel’. We see real value in the Junior Agro program that equips agronomists commencing a long and pros- perous career with a unique practical experience in the field. It supplements their classroom studies and prepares them for the discussions they will have with future clients throughout the growing cycle. During the last two years, 150 junior agronomists have completed our program at the Tamworth fa- cility, with more than 40 per cent of participants being female. Participants reported a boost in confidence following the program’s conclusion, with many recog- nising the value of meeting likeminded professionals early in their careers. BASF plans to expand the initiative to include a year-round training offering, featuring a syllabus of webinars for agronomists to further enhance collaboration with growers. By cultivating a gen- eration of empowered junior agronomists, BASF hopes to lead an industry-wide shift towards more sustainable and efficient agricultural practices. While education is essential, growers must also focus their attention on controlling their environ- ment with innovative products. BASF has a tried and tested commitment to Australian agriculture, developing targeted chemistry and seed varieties in local conditions. We bring ground-breaking
The world relies on Australian growers’ ability to embrace modern farming practices and profitably secure yields on good and marginal land so they can supply high quality produce to feed our na- tion, and also the world’s growing population. At BASF, we have always aimed to help farmers take greater control of their futures by supporting their mission to succeed at what we call the biggest job on earth. We take the best chemistry, knowledge, and innovation the world has to offer and develop it here for our local market. We support growers and partners across the agricultural food chain as they adopt best practice through products and services that boost long-term productivity, improve their incomes, and support the growing demands of sustainable agriculture in a constantly evolving environment. Expanding the capability of Australian growers and advisors through upskilling and education is vital to agriculture reaching its full potential. The skills short- age in the industry continues to hinder efforts to ac- cess the agricultural expertise farmers require. In an industry where knowledge can, at times, be closely guarded by senior agronomists and there are six job openings to every agriculture graduate, there is a material need to support aspiring agronomists ex- pand their skillset to access opportunities available. In 2021, BASF established its Junior Agronomy (Agro) Training initiative at its CropSolutions farm in
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