The School to Industry Partnership Program will cease, with state government funding not allocated beyond the end of the school year (see full story on page six).

Townsville based Calvary Christian College agricultural coordinator, Murray Hair said the move was hugely disappointing for students across the state.

Mr Hair said government grant money and support was vital to ensure the future viability of agriculture programs for students in Queensland.

“Without that sort of money being available to help schools with agriculture it makes it hugely difficult to fund agricultural programs in schools like ours,” Mr Hair said.

“It’s hugely disappointing that if we don't have access to that, it makes it so much more difficult to run agricultural programs where you introduce young people to farming practices in Australia.”

Mr Hair said the situation was very concerning particularly with agricultural colleges closing dow.

“Where does that leave learning about agriculture and farming in Australia?” he said.

Mr Hair said that there were very few schools left in Australia that actually offer agricultural programs, and those places only did it with government grants and industry support.

“Without that, it’s just another nail in the coffin for the agriculture industry and trying to get young people back on the land,” he said.

“If it was an uphill battle before, we are now climbing a cliff.”

Katter’s Australian Party leader, Robbie Katter said the education program cutbacks would only heighten the divide between the city and the bush.

“Now is not the time to cut back on educating Queensland children on how their food is grown and where it comes from,” Mr Katter said.

“It is a time for increasing the communication and awareness between the bush and the city.”