Tasmania is gearing up to revolutionise its agricultural sector with a new investment aimed at enhancing irrigation practices. The Tasmanian Government has committed $1.6 million to a research initiative that promises to boost the efficiency and environmental sustainability of irrigation, marking a significant step forward for the state’s farming industry.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water, Jane Howlett, unveiled the Agricultural Innovation Fund (AIF) Project: Growing Value from Irrigation for Tasmanian Agriculture, which aims to elevate irrigation practices and maximise their benefits. Howlett highlighted the pivotal role of irrigation in Tasmania’s agricultural sector, noting its potential to drive higher-value crop production and job creation.
“Irrigation is crucial for our farmers, providing them with the confidence to cultivate more valuable crops and to employ more Tasmanians,” said Howlett. She also underscored the government’s commitment to increasing Tasmania’s farmgate value to $10 billion by 2050, with irrigation being a key component of this ambitious goal.
The state has already made considerable investments in expanding its irrigation infrastructure, with 19 schemes now operational, delivering over 133,000 megalitres of water annually. This new project, to be managed by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) and Tasmanian Irrigation, is set to enhance this foundation by providing deeper insights into irrigation’s value and improving system efficiency.
The research will focus on three main objectives: determining the economic value of irrigation to inform policy and investment decisions, increasing knowledge and adoption of efficient irrigation practices, and investigating methods to minimise environmental impacts while maximising economic returns.
Professor Caroline Mohammed from the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture emphasised the project’s goal to boost both sustainability and profitability. The research will examine current centre pivot irrigation systems to evaluate performance and suggest improvements. Expected long-term benefits include reduced waterlogging, decreased crop losses, and enhanced soil health. The overarching aim is to develop irrigation systems that are both sustainable and resilient to climate change.
Jacob Gerke, General Manager of Program Development and Delivery at Tasmanian Irrigation, echoed the sentiment that the investment will benefit not only the agricultural sector but the wider Tasmanian economy. He noted that for every dollar spent on irrigation water, farmers are likely to invest up to two additional dollars in their operations, stimulating job creation and economic activity in regional areas.
Gerke also pointed out the alignment of the project’s environmental research with ongoing efforts to ensure that irrigation practices do not negatively impact the environment. This aspect of the project aims to complement existing initiatives and support the development of practices that are both economically and environmentally sound.
The Tasmanian Government’s support for such projects reflects its broader commitment to strengthening the agricultural sector. This latest initiative is part of the 2030 Strong Plan for Tasmania’s Future, which builds on the state’s history of backing agricultural innovation and development.
With this substantial investment, Tasmania is poised to lead the way in advanced irrigation practices, setting a benchmark for efficiency and sustainability in agriculture.
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