Local Indigenous communities are the key to a thriving agricultural sector, according to Australian Farming Services chief executive David Armstrong.
The push to see those who know the land best, Traditional Owners, front and centre in the industry going forward is being backed by key agencies.
Within a $1.3 million cluster of scholarships made available to first year agricultural students across regional Australia with Charles Sturt University, ten are for young Indigenous people looking to break into the workforce.
The program, named AGcessibility: diversifying the next gen of Agriculture, is presented in partnership with the Anthony Costa Foundation, goFARM Australia, and Australian Farming Services.
Indigenous student Kade King is one student setting his sights on diving into the industry largely unknown to him only a short time ago.
Mr King originally wanted to be a vet. That was until he saw the broad opportunities to be snapped up.
"Growing up on the coast in Huskisson, New South Wales, I don't have a background in Agriculture. This scholarship has helped me to move to Wagga Wagga to study and it has been a life changing experience," he said.
"My advice to other students is to look at the options available, you've got nothing to lose.
"Agriculture is a lot broader than you think, it's not only for people who want to own or work on a farm. There are so many different avenues and sectors to get involved in."
goFARM managing director Mr Liam Lenaghan career trajectory is the offspring of the program.
An agricultural scholarship helped kickstart his career 25 years ago.
"Part of goFARM's purpose is to transform Australian agriculture through investing in people and regional communities, so we see this scholarship as an excellent way to support the future of our industry," he said.
The current scholarship opportunity extends to students from low socioeconomic backgrounds.
It's the next generation who could reap the benefits of the four-to-five employment opportunities for each university graduate coming out of agriculture and horticulture courses, in concert with the estimated one-third of jobs being in the sector in the bush.
The university's figures show more than 80 per cent of graduates remain in regional and remote areas following the conclusion of their studies.
"We view this scholarship program as an investment in our local community, to allow individuals from that community to achieve their full potential, adding value to their community and hopefully as employees in our business," Mr Armstrong said.
CSU emeritus professor Jim Pratley said the scholarships "aim to fill current and projected workforce capacity issues in the agricultural and horticultural sectors".
Applications for the AGcessibility scholarships available online, closing February 3. Additional support for accommodation is also available through CSU.
