Burnett and Bundaberg farming families will have improved water efficiency and productivity in irrigated agriculture, with almost $400,000 in Queensland Government funding, delivering on a key election promise.
The government has a strong plan for the agriculture industry and will deliver a brighter and more productive future for irrigators in rural and regional Queensland.
This funding delivers on our 2012 election commitment to support and grow the agriculture pillar of the Queensland economy.
We are providing $393,000 for six projects to support on the ground services through the Rural Water Use Efficiency for Irrigation Futures program.
This funding forms part of an $8 million commitment over four years to the program to enable industry organisations to deliver projects to increase the water efficiency of Queensland irrigators. “These projects will help achieve the government’s goal of doubling agricultural production by 2040.
It will allow development of key decision-making tools so regional fruit and vegetable growers can better invest in their productivity and sustainability while demonstrating good stewardship.
Projects to receive funding include:
- $75,000 for Irrigation Australia Limited to develop standards and codes of practice that will improve irrigation design and installation for rural irrigation systems
- $80,000 for Growcom to develop best management practices for on-farm sediment control to help irrigators identify opportunities to improve water efficiency, nutrient management and water quality
- $7,500 for the Queensland Farmer’s Federation to manage the above two projects
- $89,190 for the National Centre for Engineering in Agriculture to develop and promote technologies which will assist irrigators with scheduling and water management
- $80,000 for Growcom to target improving on-farm management decision making using precision agriculture techniques
- $41,600 for Irrigation Australia Limited to fast-track the uptake of certification to improve the skills of workers in Queensland’s irrigation service sector such as consultants and suppliers
- $20,000 for the Queensland Dairyfarmers’ Organisation to investigate the feasibly of using current alternative energy technologies for irrigation system
Further information about the RWUE-IF program is available on the Department of Natural Resources and Mines website at http://www.dnrm.qld.gov.au/water/access/rural-water-use-efficiency