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The regeneration of Australia’s food and farming systems
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The regeneration of Australia’s food and farming systems
A farming family of 5, 2 adults and 3 children. They are standing in front of a paddock of wheat.
The sun is setting over a field.
A farming family of 5, 2 adults and 3 children. They are standing in front of a paddock of wheat.
The sun is setting over a field.
19 March 2023
19 March 2023

ORICoop

ORICoop is empowering grain producers to control their own supply chain.

ORICoop has launched a producer-owned and regional provenance ‘Farmers Own’ brand that empowers producers to share in the benefits of controlling their own supply chain. Known as ORCA (Organic and Regenerative Co-operative Australia), the aim is to strengthen grain supply chains from the field to the finished product.

Current Project, December 2022 ($16,500)

ORICoop is extending their existing ORCA organic grain project in the Riverina (see below) to develop a business case for Western Australian producers. The Riverina project has catalysed a rapid flow-on effect for the WA farmers involved.

The opportunity is ripe to begin formalising the project to replicate the model in WA. Applying the model they have already fleshed out in the Riverina to a second region is a natural next step in scaling the organic grain farming industry. The WA project will benefit from the on-ground learnings including access to blockchain and traceability technology associated with the ORCA project.

The project’s objectives are:

  • Ascertaining a business case for cleaner/graders and/or a processor from experts in organic grain production - so a better product can be delivered to the market
  • A business case (if needed) for storage - potentially a shared option amongst producers (perhaps co-owned)
  • A business case with an existing processor (once potential markets are established) or to work with existing processors with two (2) better quality products into the market (i.e. livestock feed and lupins processed in WA)
  • Build some low entry domestic and export markets across key commodities
Completed Project, March 2022 ($70,000)

The project assessed the existing processing capabilities together with the staged development of grain processing facilities in the Riverina and Western Australia’s wheat belt.

With producers empowered with the latest technology they can better determine market demand, incorporate both better traceability and transparency of their grain as well as diversify opportunities for different grain varieties. With a farmer-led and owned brand, together with strategic processing facilities producers can be nimble and targeted to the demands of the market.

The project’s stage one key objectives were:

  • Determine existing grain and processing facilities for the Riverina region
  • Assess the rigour of existing feasibility study for the Riverina region
  • Determine the strategic demand for organic grain production
  • Complete the business plan for the Riverina region
  • Determine robust financials to formulate the story for investors to participate
  • Create a template using the Riverina project and incorporate the Western Australian organic grain project, adapting it to their requirements
  • Follow up industry engagement for Riverina and further engagement for Western Australia