The Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association today welcomed the State Government’s announcement of a $1.5 million Water for Profit commitment to ensure farmers make the most of the irrigation roll-out.
“It is central to the effort that we as farmers can make towards further improving the economy and Tasmania’s outlook,” TFGA president Wayne Johnston said.
“We manage almost a third of Tasmania’s land area. We are blessed with near ideal growing conditions here. We share the government’s vision of expanding production from the present $2 billion to $10 billion by the year 2050.
“It’s all very well to have 12 or 13 per cent of the nation’s rainfall but if you don’t get it where you live, or you can’t store it and distribute when it is needed, it is all but useless and will flow to the sea.”
Mr Johnston said the irrigation roll-out had been a phenomenal game-changer for farmers.
“It has been a true partnership between public and private enterprise, between governments in Tasmania and in Canberra and farmers on the ground. Farmers have dug deep into their back pockets to make this all happen.
“These 15 schemes account for $1 billion capital investment on and off-farm, with most of it, $628 million, coming from farmers, inevitably via their bankers.
“We have to have the skills to maximise the potential and our returns from this irrigation revolution. To do that we need a comprehensive extension program, we need to understand the science of the soils we are working with and their water requirements and we need to establish benchmarks so we can judge our progress. That is what is being delivered today,” Mr Johnston said.
TFGA president Wayne Johnston
