24 June 2016
The Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF) has welcomed the Coalition’s commitment to allocate $4 million in funding from its R&D for Profit Program towards the development of a rice industry in northern Australia.
QFF CEO Travis Tobin described the announcement from the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Barnaby Joyce as a targeted and practical approach towards developing agriculture in northern Australia.
“Growing agriculture in northern Australia will need new crops that can be sustainably produced. The rice industry has been evaluating northern Australia’s rice potential since 2007, with encouraging trial results around Mackay, Emerald and in the Burdekin.”
“The funding will build on initial trial crop research to better determine suitable varieties, crop nutrition, water scheduling and crop rotation. Essentially, this project will develop a best practice manual that provides a step by step guide for Queensland farmers wanting to sustainably grow rice.”
“Having spent a year in the rice industry’s R&D and extension system, I have seen the contribution practical ‘how to’ guides such as this make toward profitable and sustainable farm businesses.”
“Importantly, being able to grow profitable rice crops in Queensland will complement established farming systems, provide agronomic and environmental benefits and help spread risk. For example, successful rice crops have been grown in the Burdekin sugar fallow while also providing a disease break for cane.”
“The ability to grow rain fed rice in the wet tropics will have environmental benefits for the Reef as nutrient and sediment run off is minimized.”
“This announcement is an intelligent step towards developing agriculture in northern Australia. Transferring the skills, research and development, and years of intellectual capital from southern rice farming systems to Queensland while complementing our established industries is a win-win outcome for Queensland agriculture.”
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