THE National Farmers' Federation will start collecting views about the future of farming this week to create a blueprint for Australian agriculture.

NFF president Jock Laurie this morning said the blueprint, to be presented to the Federal Government in December, would look at the challenges and opportunities within the farming sector.

"The blueprint is designed to set the future direction for the farming sector by hearing from the farmers, transporters, processors, retailers, agriculture teachers, agronomists, small business owners – in short anyone with a stake in Australian agriculture," Mr Laurie said.

People can log on to the NFF website and fill in a survey, talk to one of the 24 NFF member organisations or run their own blueprint community session and report back to the national body.

Mr Laurie said forums would also be held in Toowoomba, Perth, Darwin, Wagga Wagga, Shepparton, Adelaide and Tasmania between March and May.

"We will be spending the next four months hearing your thoughts and views. At the end of the process, we'll be putting together a document that captures the collective view of all who took part. This draft will then undergo a period of public consultation before it is presented to the Government in December 2012.

"So in this, the Australian Year of the Farmer, we are asking for your help in shaping the future of our industry."