THE Commonwealth government is encouraging applications for grants to support projects that enhance traceability in the agricultural produce supply chain.

Agriculture minister David Littleproud said the $3m under Round Two of the Traceability Grants Program was an opportunity to boost the competitiveness of our farming exporters.

“Australia’s reputation as a source of premium produce has helped our agricultural exporters secure a strong foothold in markets throughout the world,” Mr Littleproud said.

“With greater export market competition and increasing demand from consumers about the origins and safety of produce, traceability systems are critical for access into these export markets.”

Mr Littleproud said the program provided opportunities for successful applicants to do projects that enhanced product traceability and produce competitiveness.

“The first round funded a variety of innovative projects including an app to tracking of animals from farm to destination in real time and a portable x-ray scanner for determining seafood provenance,” he said.

“This second round of the Traceability Grants Program is part of an overall $7m investment and an important component of the Australian Government’s Ag2030 plan in support of industry’s ambition of $100bn in farmgate value by 2030.”

Round Two of the Traceability Grants Program has just opened and closes on 21 January 2021.