The Queensland Government announced it will invest $20.75 million in the next three years to help farmers reduce harmful run-off, improve productivity and protect the Great Barrier Reef, in a statement made last week.
The multi-million-dollar injection into the agricultural industry will enable the continuation of the Grazing Resilience and Sustainable Solutions (GRASS) program and the agricultural industry’s Best Management Practice (BMP).
In addition to the GRASS program, the State Government had finalised funding arrangements until 2026 for the continuation of the SmartCane BMP, Hort360 GBR BMP, and Banana BMP initiatives.
Minister for the Environment and the Great Barrier Reef and Minister for Science and Youth Affairs, the Honourable Meaghan Scanlon said, “Farmers will continue to play a critical role in helping to protect our Great Barrier Reef.
“These programs are aimed at helping our agriculture industry improve land condition, enhance production and, ultimately, reduce pollutants in reef catchments.”
CANEGROWERS welcomed the Queensland Government’s continuing support of the industry’s best management practice program, Smartcane BMP.
“The announcement of continued funding for Smartcane BMP is a validation of the fantastic results that growers in this program have achieved over the past four years,” CANEGROWERS Chairman Owen Menkens said.
“Growers right across the industry have embraced the program which validates changes that are providing positive environmental outcomes, while also improving their business’ bottom line.”
Forty per cent of Queensland’s cane-growing area is now independently accredited as operating at best practice. And interest continues to grow, with more growers signing up for the program each month.
“While 40 per cent might be the official number, when you take into account the number of growers who are implementing best practice on their farms but have not sought accreditation, the actual figure would be much higher,” Mr Menkens said.
In just the past few years, more than 500 growers have used Smartcane BMP to document changes to their farming practices. These changes have addressed disease management, weed control, nutrient management, soil health, tillage, fallow cropping, and/or irrigation scheduling.
L-R Paul Schembri and Michael Deguara. Michael was the first in Australia to receive SmartCane BMP accreditation
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