Liberal National Party leader David Crisafulli has made a pitch to Queensland farmers, pledging $30 million toward innovation in agriculture.

Speaking at an AgForce agricultural industry conference in Brisbane this morning, Crisafulli made it a personal affair.

“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for the Queensland agricultural story,” he said.

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“My late grandfather, the most influential person in my life, came to this country in 1960 to cut sugar cane by hand in north Queensland. It’s the reason my family are here, full stop. End of story.

“It was a place at a time when people could dream, and within 10 years, he went on to become his own owner of that farm, a farm that my mum and dad still operate today.”

Crisafulli said he envisaged a Queensland agricultural industry “worth $30 billion by 2030”.

“And we’re putting $30 million new money on the table to make it occur,” he said.

“We’re calling it ‘sowing the seeds of farming innovation’ fund. It is about supercharging [research and development] in this state, technology expertise, and cutting edge agriculture for Queensland.”

Crisafulli said it could be anything from identifying new crops, new pesticides or new technology.

“It will have one overarching goal – productivity and profitability,” he said.

The Crisafulli campaign has headed for Brisbane Airport, bound for an undisclosed regional location.