Maintaining and enhancing core skills and capabilities within the NSWSMC, for a sustainable NSW sugar industry : Final report NSC004

Abstract

This report describes a 3 year project to improve industry competitiveness by maintaining and enhancing core skills and capabilities within the NSW sugar industry. The project commenced in July 2001. Seven major objectives to improve industry competitiveness were identified and include the delivery of an efficient plant breeding program; the maximising of productivity by controlling pest and diseases; the development of best practice for the NSW sugar industry for both on farm activities and relationships with the community; the development of new strategies to maintain the competitiveness of the NSW sugar industry; the delivery of an essential extension service to co-operative members; the maintenance of core skills within the co-operative for industry competitiveness and the development of an environmental management system for cane growing and to underpin environmental awareness with NSW cane growers. The project targeted three core areas identified in an activity plan for core competency funding (refer Appendix 1) developed at the commencement of the project.The three core areas identified in the activity plan were, productivity enhancement, community and environment, new business, co-generation.