A Liberal-Nationals government will establish a regional soils research centre in Victoria if elected in November.
Announcing the plan at a Victorian Farmers Federation symposium in Melbourne, state opposition leader Matthew Guy said VicSoil would safeguard and strengthen Victoria's agriculture sector.
"Our plan is a real solution to strengthen Victoria's vital agricultural sector," Mr Guy said on Friday.
Opposition agriculture spokesman Peter Walsh said the plan would allocate $100 million over 10 years to research productive and sustainable soil management, with links to the national Soil Cooperative Research Centre.
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"The greatest asset that farmers have is their soils," he said.
"It is good business, it is good for the environment."
Mr Walsh could not confirm the number of research jobs that would be created, but criticised the Andrews Labor government's record on soils research.
"Not that long ago, we actually used to have a department of agriculture in this state," Mr Walsh told farmers and delegates in Melbourne.
"We now have an office down the end of the corridor."
The Victorian Nationals leader lamented the declining influence of the farmers federation on livestock compensation funds, and promised a reversal if a Liberal-Nationals government was elected.
Mr Walsh also criticised state agriculture minister Gayle Tierney for sending a pre-recorded message to the event rather than attending in-person.
"That we are ... here shows that we actually respect what you do for Victoria, to feed Victoria, to clothe Victoria, to create the jobs that are out in regional Victoria," he said.
In her message, Ms Tierney said the organisation was a vital part of the state government's vision for the Victorian economy.
"I look forward to continuing to work closely with the VFF and the industry to achieve this vision," Ms Tierney said.
Australian Associated Press
