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Horticultural Funding Study-New Directions In Funding-Opportunity For Growers To Participate |
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HAL is running a project that requires direct input from growers - project HG05041: New Directions in Funding. It is designed to find ways to assist growers to diversify and expand their business using resources other than the traditional ones (banks, govt grants). Note this is for commercial projects for growers not research projects. Interested persons are asked to contact Mark Brear, the consultant, directly. Background Horticulture Australia Ltd (HAL) has commissioned an Industry Study to examine and find solutions to various aspects of funding and funding impediments in horticulture projects and ventures.Those involved in horticulture know that bringing projects to fruition can be difficult due to a variety of reasons related to all aspects of horticulture. These challenges mean that industry participants have difficulty in attracting necessary funding for their projects and the industry is not able to generate a high level of innovation, development and investment returns compared to other sectors of the Australian economy.Horticulture Australia has engaged HLB Mann Judd Consulting to conduct a study with horticulture growers in order to understand and deal more effectively with these funding impediments in the future. Discussions will be held with banks, financiers and other horticulture project funders and investors during and after the study in order to highlight these difficulties and approaches and to seek solutions that both financiers and growers can act on. It is envisaged that these outcomes will involve innovative developments and changes to the ways horticulture projects are looked at and financed in the future. Grower Participation Growers are urged to participate in the project to provide an important and comprehensive basis for industry discussion and funding alternatives. By responding to the survey and to the solutions proposed, growers will participate in breaking new ground for themselves and their industry in providing funding solutions.In the first instance, growers are asked to respond to this request to participate and to provide contact details so as to receive the initial survey form by e-mail, fax or phone. Thereafter they will be contacted by HLB Mann Judd and/or Mr Rod Kerley (BRI Pty Ltd) who is also assisting with the funding project. The form containing grower contact details is attached to this document. Study objectives The key study objectives are to identify impediments and problems of industry participants in respect of projects for which they have sought funding and identify potential solutions and new directions in funding.The study will include: - surveying industry participants to assess key issues and problems in industry funding;
- identifying key knowledge gaps and other problems between industry participants - specifically growers and funders or investors;
- discussions with funders, investors and growers to explore new and innovative funding methods and solutions, and
- developing recommendations for a future industry funding model or models that can address the gaps and issues and provide new directions in funding.
We urge growers to participate in this study to ensure an important and comprehensive basis for industry discussion is established and to provide for innovative developments and changes to the ways horticulture projects are looked at and financed in the future. Please send your contact details to:
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