BananasNSW exists primarily for the benefit of NSW banana growers and the wider banana industry as the health of the total sector impacts upon the grower. Because it is a statutory body set up under an Act of State Parliament, it reports annually to the Parliament through the State Minister for Agriculture and is subject to the scrutiny of the Auditor General. The Committee’s main functions are described below.
In 2002 the organisation held a planning meeting to set out the aims, objectives and deadlines for the next 3 – 5 years. The NSW Banana Industry Strategic Plan was adopted in March 2003 and provides growers with the yardstick by which to measure the performance of the organisation.
Industry Development
The Committee is continually looking for ways to improve things for growers. We employ a qualified agronomist as our Industry Development Officer. He is available to assist growers and provides advice about management on the plantation and in the packing shed. BananasNSW is a member of the Australian Banana Growers Council as well as many State and local Government Committees. Much time is devoted to the development of industry policy through these varied Committees as this is all important to the future well-being of our members.
Pest and Disease Control
Pest and disease control is a very expensive activity of the organisation in particular banana bunchy top virus (BBTV) detection and eradication. In the northern growing area from the Richmond River to the Qld/NSW border, plantations are inspected according to a schedule based on their level of risk. This can result in them being inspected from one to six times or more a year. In the southern growing area inspections are made less frequently.
There are two Pest & Disease Committees, one in the north and the other in the south. They both comprise representatives from BNSW, NSW Agriculture and the local grower associations. They meet to report and consider the best ways to handle local pest and disease issues.
Abandoned and neglected plantations are prone to pests and disease and are a source of infection for commercial plantations. BNSW works with growers and NSW Agriculture, which has the power to enforce compliance with legislation, to eradicate these patches. Feral bananas are the bane of the industry.
Market Development
Developing markets for our produce is an activity that is critical to the survival and ongoing prosperity of the industry. BananasNSW has a market development plan that aims to revitalise the industry by making improvements at all stages of production, post harvest and marketing. Implementation of the plan has started and progress is dependent on grower and external funding as well as continued grower commitment.
The subtropical banana industry in Australia has long been promoting the superior taste of its product over the tropical banana. In 2003 the NSW section of that industry is trialling a brand called “Sweet Success” and aims to get repeat buys utilising a stickered product and point-of-sale material to clearly identify the product.
Advertising and Promotion
We are a member of the National Banana Marketing Task Force under the ABGC which is making progress on a range of issues that should see the consumption of bananas increase. BNSW is represented on the four State “Australian Bananas” Promotion Committees together with the National Promotions Committee. Funds are used to research consumers on their views and perceptions. The current campaign is “Make those bodies sing” and has been running successfully for almost nine years.
In the area of local promotions BNSW provides funding assistance to banana grower associations and sponsorships where it will promote both the industry and our product. This expenditure of this money is well scrutinised and we are conscious of keeping the community aware of the important role the industry plays in the local economy.
Communications
Growers are regularly kept up to date about issues affecting the industry and their own businesses. BNSW publishes a journal titled the “Banana Bulletin”. It also provides funding for the operation of local banana grower associations to encourage the exchange of views and opinions. It sponsors and takes part in workshops, seminars, field days and association meetings. Growers are encouraged to contact members of the Board or BNSW staff at any time on any issue.
We strongly believe that public relations is vital for any industry to project and build an image of being progressive and responsive to changing community expectations. BNSW engages in this process and whilst it takes a considerable amount of time and effort we are convinced that the industry must be shown in the best possible light.
Policy Development
Policy development is the real engine room of any representative organisation because without policies it is not possible to set goals or work consistently towards their achievement. For this reason it is undoubtedly the most important activity engaged in by the organisation.
Unlike other activities that produce more tangible results, the result of policy development is often difficult to point out to members. It is a continuing process that requires a lot of thought, research, discussion, consultation and finally, resolution.
Research & Development
The subtropical banana industry in Australia has long been promoting the superior taste of its product over the tropical banana. In 2003 the NSW section of that industry is trialling a brand called “Sweet Success” and aims to get repeat buys utilising a stickered product and point-of-sale material to clearly identify the product.
The Board and NSW Agriculture comprise the Banana Industry Research and Development Advisory Committee which meets twice a year to consider R & D issues. Some R & D projects run over several years whilst others are completed within a few months. Much R & D activity is carried out by NSW Agriculture on plantations with the active assistance of growers. An important part of Research and Development is the transfer of useful information to growers who can make good use of it in practice.
Administration
Administration is the general heading that covers a multitude of non-operational activities such as making sure our financial records are correct, running the office, representing the industry at an enormous amount of meetings to basic housekeeping.
Collecting and accounting for statutory grower charges are a big part of the organisation’s costs. Unlike other organisations, BananasNSW does not charge interest on late and delinquent accounts. Outstanding accounts and their management is a constant source of concern for the organisation. Unfortunately this drain on resources cannot be recovered or spent on more useful activities and is reflected in the level at which grower charges are set.
Representing the industry takes a lot of time and energy. The list of meetings attended over a normal year would include the Australian Banana Growers Council, the national Imports Committee, the National Industry Congress, federal, state and local politicians, local government councils, farmer organisations, wholesalers, retailers, government departments, industry bodies and a range of committees on which the industry is represented. These include ChemCert, the Ministerial Market Chain Committee, the Rural Producers Committee, the North Coast Horticultural Committee, and the recently formed NSW Horticulture Council and Flying Fox Consultative Committee. A steady stream of people wanting to discuss a wide range of topics is also met on a day to day basis.
BNSW is required to initiate and respond to correspondence, to undertake research into current issues, to make submissions to government, to develop and submit applications to funding bodies and to establish and maintain effective liaisons with organisations and individuals in the community.
Staff
No we don’t have a big staff doing handling all these tasks. In the field our Industry Development Officer is full time and three bunchy top detectors are employed on contract. In the office our Chief Executive Officer is engaged on a four days per week basis and we have a full time administration officer. Occasionally, when the office work load is very heavy, a casual assistant is engaged to help.
