The Australian Government has announced that the $993m (A$1.3bn) Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI) is now open to support the local food and beverage manufacturers.

The grants can be availed by food and beverage manufacturers to increase their production capacities, as well as commercialise their products and operations and integrate them into domestic and global supply chains.

The food and beverage sector is the fourth of six national manufacturing priorities to be supported under the MMI scheme.

Australian Industry, Science and Technology Minister Karen Andrews said that the funding will enable companies to further scale up their capabilities.

Andrews said: “The world already can’t get enough of Aussie made food and beverages but there are opportunities to further build on our international reputation for producing premium, safe and high-quality products.

“Investing in our food and beverage manufacturers will ensure they remain on the front foot and maximise every opportunity to tap into global markets and create jobs here at home. To strengthen our economy we need to make the most of our natural advantages in agriculture, and that means adding as much value as we can to raw materials through manufacturing.

“The other great thing about food and beverage manufacturing is its imprint on regional Australia – both in wher many of the factories are located and the support for businesses right along the supply chain.”

An industry-led road map has also been released with a ten-year vision for the food and beverage manufacturing sector to guide government investment.

The road map will focus on smart processing and packaging methods, and health and wellbeing products with enhanced nutritional value.

It will also focus on the food safety, origin and traceability systems.

Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said: “Australia already makes world-class value-added products from fruit and vegetables, grain mill and cereals, dairy products and meat.

“This funding will open up further opportunities for the development of new products and the expansion of existing product lines beyond the farm gate. That’s good for our farmers, our transport industry and the regional communities they all support.”