Australian Agricultural Machinery, located in north Dubbo, yesterday announced its plans for expansion into the Indian, Asian and Middle Eastern agricultural markets.

The expansion bodes well for job creation in Dubbo, particularly assembling and marketing jobs.

Action backed up the announcement with the preparation of boom sprays bound for India.

The ‘Jetstream’ boom sprays can be used to spray a variety of substances such as pesticides, herbicides and fertiliser on to a crop.

Australian Agricultural Machinery general manager Anthony Sullivan was excited about the deal coming to fruition.

“We have today loaded our first container with what will be many ‘Jetstream’ boom sprays destined for India,” Mr Sullivan said yesterday. “It’s great, there’s a long way to go, but the initial work has been put in.”

The exportation of the machinery has required the manufacturer to hire staff in India and could lead to more jobs in Dubbo.

“There’ll be a gradual incline of staff in Dubbo and India until we’re established over there,” Mr Sullivan said.

The push into India, Asia and the Middle East comes following many inquiries from agricultural producers and officials in these areas, Mr Sullivan said.

Australian Agricultural Machinery will be exporting boom sprays of a 1000L-capacity and with a 12-metre span.

Mr Sullivan believes there is a real shift occurring in world agricultural markets with a focus on increased crop production and developing sustainable agricultural practices.

The staff in the new office in New Delhi are organising field trials, demonstrations and testing for the machines being transported from Dubbo.

“We expect a high take up of our technology as the Indian Government gets behind producers to help lift productivity,” Mr Sullivan said.

faye.wheeler@ruralpress.com