Alternatives to irrigated agriculture
Successful strategies for transitioning away from irrigated agriculture are likely to involve a combination of:
- identifying new agricultural opportunities and alternative production systems to adapt to changing conditions (for example reducing reliance on scarce or expensive inputs such as fertiliser and water);
- alternative agricultural products which can be produced on previously irrigated land;
- capturing additional benefits in new and emerging markets and income streams (for example markets for ecosystem services, biodiversity and carbon sequestration).
These strategies will mitigate the risks of stopping irrigation, which include the spread of weeds and pests; increased soil erosion and sedimentation of waterways; the loss of protection from land and water salinisation that irrigation previously provided; and the loss of traditional revenue for rural and regional communities. (43) Nobody wants to see a degraded weed infested, depopulated landscape
The North Central Catchment Management Authority (NCCMA) is facilitating research and community discussion on potential viable alternatives to intensive irrigated agriculture. In 2008, NCCMA brought together a group of farmers, agency and industry representatives to share information and explore the risks and opportunities presented by the expected increase in ‘new dryland’ areas. The group developed a set of community-endorsed actions for consideration and possible adoption by agencies and the local community. (44)
Key opportunities identified and discussed included:
- Dryland cropping, including opportunistic irrigation, alternate pastures and increasing yield using less water through better management, based on the experiences of the Birchip Cropping Group; (45)
- Environmental opportunities, including protection and regeneration of remnant vegetation, use of saltbush and native grasses, and floodplain rehabilitation; and
- Alternative meat and livestock options, such as goats.
As well as identifying potentially viable alternative industries, the Workshop stressed the importance of other social and economic factors relevant to change, such as farm succession and generational change, scale (ie. bigger is not always better), access to information, marketing strategies, and maintenance of farm and system infrastructure to support opportunistic irrigation. (46)
The NCCMA is currently exploring these and a range of other options in more detail and is seeking funding to establish trial sites across the region to test the viability of the options.
The Birchip Cropping Group in the Wimmera-Mallee region has been undertaking farmer-led research and extension activities since 1992 to assist informed decision-making and the rapid adoption of new technologies and farming practices in the community. A key focus is the adoption of new crop varieties and techniques to improve input efficiency (e.g. water, fertilizer and herbicides) and the development of flexible farming systems which equip farmers with the information and skills to change practices to suit seasons and prices as they develop.
Biological farming is gaining popularity as a way of improving the environmental performance of conventional farming systems as well as improving productivity and profitability. (47) A 2004 discussion paper published by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries found that even without price premiums or subsidies an organic or biological system may outperform a conventional system economically, because of reduced input costs and negative external impacts (such as pest and weed infestation) and comparatively higher yields. (48)
A wide range of alternative and niche agricultural activities are emerging in response to environmental and economic change. A short list of such opportunities which may find a place within a diversified agricultural system include alternative livestock such as goats, (49) beekeeping and honey production (50) and opportunistically irrigated horticultural crops such as herbs which can provide high yields over a relatively small area of irrigated land. (51)
These and other options will be explored further in the economic research commissioned as part of the River Rescue and Regional Renewal program.
References
43 North Central CMA (2008) New Dryland Workshop Report, August 2008
(44) North Central CMA (2008) New Dryland Workshop Report, August 2008
(46) North Central CMA (2008) New Dryland Workshop Report, August 2008
(47) Larsen, Kirsten, Chris Ryan & Asha Bee Abraham (2008) Sustainable and Secure Food Systems for Victoria: What do we know? What do we need to know? VEIL Research Report No.1, Victorian Eco-Innovation Laboratory, Australian Centre for Science, Innovation & Society, University of Melbourne. www.ecoinnovationlab.com/pages/library.php
(48) Zierhl, A. (2004), Organics and Sustainability: Substantiating the Claim of 'Clean and Green', Department of Primary Industries, State of Victoria, p22
(49) North Central CMA (2008) New Dryland Workshop Report, August 2008
(50) Tim Shanahan, North Central CMA, Personal Communication, June 2009
(51) Lester Haw, Goulburn-Murray Water, Personal Communication, June 2009
