NSW Farmers has enlisted the help of former Australian Defence Force personnel to help harvest bumper crops during the pandemic after COVID border restrictions left farmers struggling to find workers.
It says Operation Grain Harvest Assist will help meet the pressing national need to harvest winter grain crops.
Run by former-ADF volunteers in collaboration with state farming organisations including NSW Farmers, the initiative uses a dedicated Facebook page to connect former and retired ADF personnel with farmers, contract harvesters and grain supply chain businesses.
NSW Farmers’ Grains Committee Chair, Matthew Madden said with ongoing border restrictions continuing to limit workforce availability, local workers will need to play more of a role in upcoming grain harvests.
“We’re set for another bumper crop after years of drought, but the NSW grains industry is expected to have a shortfall of around 1000 workers,” Mr Madden said.
“The availability of seasonal workers has dropped drastically since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, while inconsistent rules around interstate travel have further reduced confidence in our ability to shore up an adequate workforce in time for harvest.
“We need a timely and successful harvest and the experience of former ADF servicemen and women in areas such as heavy machinery handling will make them ideal candidates for grain harvest roles, many of which are skilled or semi-skilled.”
Operation Grain Harvest Assist is one of many initiatives aimed at beefing up the agriculture workforce as industries such as grains and horticulture face significant labour shortages for the second consecutive year amid COVID-19 related travel restrictions.
“NSW Farmers has recently released our 10-point plan calling for government assistance in curbing the worker shortages,” Mr Madden said.
“Our plan includes measures such as fast-tracking the approval of workers under the Seasonal Worker Program and Pacific Labour Scheme, attracting domestic workers through incentives such as HECS relief, and short-term financial aid to make farm and regional workplaces, transport and accommodation COVID-19 safe.”
Operation Grains Harvest Assist commenced on Monday. Farmers in need of harvest workers are urged to register their needs via facebook.com/groups/1741781399347127
