RIRDC - Research Compendium 1993

Rural Industries
Research & Development Corporation

Research Compendium 1993 - 1994

Research Project

FUTURE DIRECTIONS IN IRRIGATED CROPPING SYSTEMS

Objectives

To hold a workshop to identify opportunities, and to analyse the barriers to improvements in sustained production.
To develop action plans to overcome the identified limitations.
To build strong links between groups and implement action plans.

Background

The irrigation areas of northern Victoria and southern New South Wales have long had the potential to be some of the most productive agricultural areas in the world. The dairy, horticulture, rice and a number of smaller industries have been consistently profitable and use about half of the irrigated land and water. Most of the remainder of the resources is used by the less, and sometimes unprofitable, mixed farming sector - dominated by sheep and beef.

Research

Participants were invited from industry groups and organisations including irrigation farmers, marketeers and processors, research and development organisations, state water corporations, industry consultants, and research and advisory staff from CSIRO, state departments of agriculture and universities. Issues discussed included sustainable environmental management, market focused production, skills and training needs, production systems, and infrastructure.

Outcome

A coordinated action plan for a profitable and sustainable future for mixed farming in the southern Murray-Darling Basin is now available. Areas identified for attention were production systems; skills for farmers in production, management, and marketing; product storage and handling; transport; links to market and consumer requirements; and continued emphasis on environmental management.

Implications

It was recommended there be a continuing 'Southern Murray-Darling Basin Irrigated Cropping Forum' to achieve the outcomes and to ensure progress. A secretarial group or the forum will oversee the development of an integrated program entitled 'A New Era for Irrigated Cropping'.

RIRDC Project No: DAV-76A

RESEARCH Dr D Ugalde

ORGANISATION: Institute of Sustainable Irrigated Agriculture

Private Bag, Ferguson Road

TATURA VIC 3616

PHONE: 058 33 5222

FAX: 058 33 5299

PUBLICATIONS:

A New Era for Irrigated Cropping , The Action Plan from a Workshop, Moama, 16- 27th October, 1993.