Farming and Irrigation

Australia

Farming and Irrigation in Australia

Irrigation is the process in which water is brought up to the land. TheIrrigation areas in Australia are primarily located in SouthernQueensland. The main type of irrigated crop in southern Queensland iscotton. Cotton accounts for 61% of Irrigated land in Queensland and37% of the Gross value of production from Irrigated agriculture.Farming is both culturally and economically important to Australia.Agriculture generates $39 billion in gross value each year making it animportant sector for the Australian economy, it employs 370,000

peopleacross Australia. Farms take up to 60% of all the land in Australia. Cropgrowing contributes to over 50% of the value of Australian agricultureevery year.

Farming in Australia

Irrigated areas in Australia

Geographic Characteristics

Farming and agricultural regions In Australia consist of:

• Meat (cattle, sheep, goats, buffalo)

• Wool• Dairy• Wheat• Sugar• Crops (cotton, grains, rice and

seeds)• Horticulture and• WineThese products are used for both

Australia and export to other countries including Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia and Sudan.

Geographic Characteristics

In Australia there are two types of farming; irrigated and non-irrigated.

Non-irrigated or dry-land farming rely on rainfall and can be typically found towards coastal areas. It covers 90% of Murray Darling Basin land.

Irrigated farming receive water from river diverts or ground water and are generally located in-land where there is low levels of rain. The Murray Darling Basin contains 72% of Irrigated farms.

ConflictIn the Murray Darling Basin there is conflict between water use for the

Natural Environment and Human use. Irrigation is a large human consumer of water. People are using a lot of water and not enough is being given to the Environment.

Another conflict that exists in the Murray Darling Basin is between the upstream rice farmers in Queensland and the rest of the river. Rice is a crop that uses a large amount of water. People downstream think that people upstream are using too much of the water.

Management StrategiesThe New South Wales Greenhouse Plan was

established to help farmers adapt to climate change. The main objectives are:

• Increase awareness to the most likely affected• Develop strategies to counter for climate

change• Decrease greenhouse emissions by 60%

One of the strategies includes the Climate Risk Management Project and aims to adapt agricultural regions for long term climate change rather than short term variability. Improvement s are going to be made in farming efficiency, productivity and the prediction of climate conditions. A range of workshops, presentations, forums and events will be available to farmers to improve their knowledge and skills in the management of climate risk.

Management StrategiesSince July 2007 the Murray Darling Basin Management Grant has been

available to help irrigation farmers improve water efficiency. If eligible the grant of up to $20,000 can be spent on:

• Piping and the storage of water• Fixed water charges• Extension of bores, pumps etc.• Improvements to irrigation systems• Water efficient machinery and • Laser levelling

Management StrategiesFarm forestry is an important factor in improving:• biodiversity • agricultural productivity• water quality and• reducing salinity

Management strategies have been developed to improve forestry planning, establishment, management and marketing. Several action plans have been put into place such as the National Action Plan for Salinity and Water Quality and between the years 1996-2002 the Australian Government put $17 million towards farm forestry.