A vegetable demonstration block established on Sydney’s outskirts will help educate farmers and the community on good agricultural and environmental practises, Minister for Primary Industries Ian Macdonald said today.

The Sydney Field Vegetable Demonstration Block will be officially launched today at the University of Western Sydney site at Richmond.

Minister Macdonald said the garden would not only help vegetable farmers better manage natural resources such as water, but showcase good production practises to the city neighbours.

"There is growing community awareness about the significant fresh food production that occurs right here in the Sydney basin and the importance of sustainable farming," he said.

"Vegetable production in NSW is worth around $320 million per year, producing most types of vegetables.

"We want Sydney communities to better understand where their food comes from, and the efforts farmers put in to ensure it is clean, green and safe for consumers to enjoy.

"That’s why this demonstration site will play such an important broader community education role, as well as guiding farmers on best production methods.

"To avoid potential conflicts between farmers and their urban neighbours, we need to ensure farmers are using water sustainably, minimise chemical usage, and assure the community that local produce is the freshest and best.

"The demonstration farm will hold 3-4 vegetable variety comparison days throughout the year along with field days and training exercises using the on-site training room.

"Bi-lingual officers will be employed to ensure that training and demonstrations are available in a range of languages.

"The site will enable demonstration of good agricultural practices along with vegetable variety trials and pesticide application training."

The Sydney Basin represents about 20% of the area devoted to vegetable production in NSW but has almost 50% of the State’s growers.

The Department of Primary Industries (DPI) currently invests more than $15 million in 64 industry supported projects in the vegetable area.

Media contact: Lyndall Derrig 0400 462 447 or Trudy Glasgow 0427 217 354