|
|
|
Tuesday, 28 February 2006 The rice industry today launched ‘Australian Rice Growers: Meeting the Greenhouse Challenge’ at its Annual Rice Field day attended by over 300 rice growers at Jerilderie. Since 2001, the Ricegrowers’ Associations of Australia (RGA) has been working with the Australian Government to identify ways rice growers can reduce greenhouse emissions, while improving productivity and profitability. This partnership has seen rice growers working with Government to implement management practices on-farm that reduce greenhouse emissions which has in turn resulted in improved efficiencies, cost savings and environmental outcomes. The publication showcases innovative growers from across the rice industry who have managed to reduce emissions in the areas of irrigation, nitrogen, soil and stubble management, native vegetation, energy efficiency and waste management. In the publication’s forward, Senator the Hon Ian Campbell, the Federal Minister for the Environment and Heritage said, “I congratulate the Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia and Australian rice growers on their efforts. They provide an excellent example of the multiple benefits that can be achieved by addressing climate change as part of a holistic environmental management system.” For example, brothers Rob & John Houghton of Gogelderie say that ‘crop potential has increased by up to 40% as a result of moving from contour to lasered systems. Not only has it achieved improved water use efficiency it has had a positive impact on greenhouse gas emissions by reducing fuel use’. The publication also focuses on a number of innovative greenhouse mitigation options, including rice growers Nick and Nicola Elwood’s rice straw house near Jerilderie which has seen their household energy use reduce by more than 50%. “The Australian rice industry has always been pro-active in addressing our environmental performance,” said RGA Executive Director, Victoria Taylor. “The results highlighted in this publication support the industry’s Greenhouse Strategy that was developed in 2001, the first comprehensive and industry-wide approach to managing greenhouse emissions in the Australian agriculture sector.” The greenhouse program, including the electronic scorecard and best management toolkit is one component of the industry’s Environmental Champions Program, a voluntary and comprehensive program that is designed to position the industry at the forefront of sustainable environmental management, which also remaining efficient, profitable and internationally competitive. “Our partnership with the Australian Government on this project has led to some valuable insights into the way our industry can deal with greenhouse emissions and we look forward to furthering our knowledge of this important policy area.” If you require any more information please do not hesitate to contact Victoria Taylor on mobile phone no. 0417 466 234 or at the RGA office on 02 6953 0433. CONTACT |
NEWS & EVENTS |
    |
© Copyright Ricegrowers' Association of Australia |
