Agriculture

Switching on the rain

Switching on the rain

Every farmer in Australia shares a dream: to be able to switch rain off and on as they need to.

Unfortunately, only farmers with access to irrigation water can (sort of) do this.

Irrigation of cropping land is critical, especially when you’re farming in the driest inhabited continent on earth. In Australia less than 1% of our total land mass is irrigated, yet this delivers about 30% of the value of our total agricultural production; this, in turn, equates to around $10b per year.

People often misunderstand where the water goes, how well we use it, and what crops need what amounts.

Food production in Australia is essential to supplying our local population with fruit, veg and protein, but also as a key source of export income. Irrigation provides food security and reduces food miles and wastage, as well as reducing the risk of droughts that would limit production. This supports a steadier flow of income to growers and breeders, and the communities they live in.

The key irrigation areas in Australia exist in the eastern states, with Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland using around 73% of the total water expended. The key agricultural industries using irrigation water are: growing pasture for meat and milk production, cotton, sugarcane, fruit and nut trees, rice, and vegetables.

Let’s take a look at how much water is needed to produce 1 kg of some of our favourite foods and fibres:

Water is an essential component to grow food and crops for our expanding population, and to generate export income. Australian irrigators have some of the most efficient practises in the world, and always strive to maximise their production from every litre of valuable water.
Without irrigation we all run the risk of going hungry… and no-one likes being hungry!

Like What You See?