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Tuesday, 2 August 2005 Representatives of the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia Inc (RGA), Murrumbidgee Irrigation (MI) and Riverina Citrus today expressed concern at the use of purported “water facts” in recent publications. “Food for human consumption will continue to require renewal resources such as soil, water and sunlight. The confidence that Australian consumers can have is that our rice growers are the world’s most efficient converters of these resources into premium rice foods. The Australian rice industry’s Environmental Program ensures that rice is produced in an environmentally friendly way, said Mr Laurie Arthur President of the RGA. “Citrus growers have become more efficient producing greater tonnages on similar amounts of water and they are able to apply it more effectively. The national industry is focusing on producing for fresh fruit consumption. As such, it takes approximately 200 litres of water to produce one kilogram of fresh oranges, said Mr Peter Morris, Riverina Citrus. The MIA farming community works very hard to continuously improve farm management practices. Improved on-farm management has contributed to reductions in water use and increases in productivity. “During the last financial year at least $11 Million was spent by farmers in the MIA & D on on-farm works such as laser levelling, drainage recycling, EM-31 surveying of soil to ensure crops match soil types and high tech irrigation systems. The MIA EnviroWise program has paid $1.7 Million in incentives for these works, while farmers have contributed $1.3 Million in MIA EnviroWise levies,” said Ms Pavese. “Research and development in rice production combined with improved farm practices have resulted in constant improvement in water use efficiency,” said Mr Arthur. “These results highlight the need to draw on most recent information available when reviewing any aspect of one our most important agricultural industries.” Media Contacts: CONTACT |
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