South Australia’s economic future will stand or fall on the fortunes of its regions.
If we want a prosperous state, we must champion the industries that sustain our communities — and none are more critical than agriculture.
Our agriculture, food and wine industries contribute more than $17 billion to the state’s economy each year and support tens of thousands of jobs.
They underpin regional communities, drive exports and secure our global reputation for safe, sustainable food and fibre.
Put simply: when agriculture prospers, SA prospers.
Yet with drought again weighing on families and businesses, we are reminded that prosperity cannot be taken for granted. It must be secured.
This is why next year’s state election matters so profoundly.
The policies put forward will determine whether SA unlocks the potential of its agricultural sector or continues to treat it as a legacy industry instead of a driver of growth.
Nationally, agriculture contributes more than $90b to the economy, supports 275,000 jobs, and generates more than $70b in exports each year.
Here in SA, producers are ready to adopt new technologies, expand into new markets and adapt to climate pressures.
What they need is for government to match their ambition.
This means clearing the path, not creating new regulatory hurdles.
It means investment in productivity and innovation, not more red tape.
It means recognising that affordable, reliable energy is the bedrock of competitiveness and that as we move towards net zero, conflict around land use must be properly managed.
Water security is another non-negotiable.
Farm dams, storage and access to reliable stock and domestic supply are critical to building drought preparedness in dryland agriculture.
Without them, resilience is a slogan, not a reality.
Equally, regional South Australians deserve access to the same services their city counterparts expect.
Health care, childcare, education, digital connectivity and infrastructure are not luxuries.
They are the foundations of thriving communities and a skilled workforce.
Without them, we cannot expect young people to build futures in the regions, nor can we grow the workforce agriculture requires.
The election will also test how seriously our leaders take climate adaptation.
Timely, low-interest drought loans, targeted investment in biosecurity and natural resource management, and policies that drive innovation across the value chain are essential.
Standing with regional communities in times of stress is not charity, it is an investment in the industries that sustain the state.
The National Farmers’ Federation is right: productivity growth in agriculture is a win for farmers, for consumers and for the broader economy.
For SA, the stakes are even higher.
Our state’s prosperity is inseparable from the strength of its regions.
As we look to next year’s state election, PPSA will be calling for policies that unlock that potential.
SA’s future depends on agriculture.
The choices we make now will decide whether our state merely survives or thrives.
This column was written by PPSA CEO Caroline Rhodes and originally appeared in the 28 August 2025 edition of Stock Journal.
