Project Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 6500 words

Project - Essay Example The rich historical background of agriculture in Australia is traced in the 1800s when the government encouraged exploration of huge tracts of land for farming and for pasture. However, due to the physical characteristics of the land coupled with the dry climate, the indigenous agricultural product that initially became the trademark for Australia is wool. The culture portal of the Australian government revealed that â€Å"wool became the cornerstone of Australian agriculture and Australia is often said to have 'ridden on the sheep's back' through the early days of its economic development† (Australian Government, par. 5). In the 1900s, greater diversity in crops and agricultural products emerged in Australia. Among the predominant produce, aside from wool and wheat were beef, different grain varieties, fruits and vegetables. Sugar and grapes also emerged as an income generating products. The early part of the 20th century marked the growth of production in agricultural produc ts beyond what the population could consume, necessitating exports to international markets (Australian Government, par. 10). The incentives provided by the Australian Government to encourage production and discourage imports paved the way for continued growth in the agricultural sector of Australia. It was thereby revealed that â€Å"across much of the early 20th century, the Australian government provided assistance to farmers and primary producers in the form of bounties, to encourage production, employment and export. The government also placed tariffs on some goods to discourage imports† (Australian Government, par. 11). The official report on Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry in 2010 reveal that a total of sixty percent in agricultural produce is being exported and has generated $32 billion during the period 2008 to 2009 (At a glance, 5). In this regard, the research aims to proffer relevant features of Australian agriculture, to delve into its role in the growth and development of the economy, to determine its current status together with its advantages and disadvantages, recent improvements and future trends. After determining current problems, the research would recommend courses of action to address the dilemmas affecting agriculture in Australia. 1.2 Features of Australia Agriculture The contemporary status of agriculture in Australia is measured in terms of its gross value of domestic production or GDP which, as of 2002, was revealed to amount to $39.6 Billion (Australian Bureau of Statistics, par. 1). There are other measures of the contribution of agriculture to the economy of Australia, to wit: â€Å"gross farm product (GFP), which is a measure of the value added in production contributed by businesses classified to the Australian and New Zealand Standard Industrial Classification (ANZSIC) Subdivision 01 (Agriculture). In 1999-2000 GFP was calculated to be $17.6 billion, or just under 3% of gross domestic product; ag gregate