$1.6 million is being invested into research that will help Tasmanian farmers understand what influences irrigation efficiency and to adopt practices that minimise environmental impacts.
Minister for Primary Industries and Water Jane Howlett said irrigation is key for the state’s farmers and this project ‘will take it to the next level’.
“Access to irrigation water gives farmers the confidence to grow higher value crops and employ more Tasmanians,” she said.
The project will be run by the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) and state-owned company Tasmanian Irrigation.
Professor Caroline Mohammed from the TIA said the research program will look at boosting sustainability and profitability for farmers through the efficient use of irrigation.
“Over the longer-term, this could result in benefits including reduced water logging, reduction of crop losses and improved soil health,” she said.
“Our aim is to build sustainable and climate resilient irrigation farming systems.”
Tasmanian Irrigation general manager Jacob Gerke said investment in irrigation is good for the wider Tasmanian economy.
“Having access to current data on that value will help make a case for ongoing investment in irrigation infrastructure,” he said.
“For every dollar farmers spend buying water for irrigation, they will spend up to another two dollars in on-farm investment, which stimulates local job creation and increases spending in regional communities.”
