Water Efficiency

The rice industry recognises that our natural resources are a valuable asset for Australian agriculture. In the past 10 years, Australian rice farmers have improved water use efficiency by 60% - growing more rice with much less water. 

In fact, our Australian growers use 50% less water to grow one kilo of rice than the world average.

What farmers do to improve water use:

• Follow strict regulations for the growing of rice
• Undergo whole farm planning techniques
• Grow shorter season rice varieties - these require less water for growth
• Plant another crop into the rice stubble to utilise the soil moisture
• Attend regular discussion groups to learn new techniques and maintain best practice
• Land and Water Management Plans

Find out more about our industry’s commitment to the Environmental

Land and water management plans (LWMPs)

What are LWMPs?

Rice farmers and the community combined to develop Land and Water Management Plans during the past decade, for each of the irrigation regions of the Riverina.

These set out the best practices for managing irrigation farming and improving water and soil management within the landscape. They also provide for long-term biodiversity restoration and better farm management techniques, so the land is preserved for future generations.

How do they work?

LWMPs are the cornerstone of environmental initiatives in the irrigation areas of the Riverina. There are six plans in total including four in the Murray Valley (Berriquin, Caldwell, Denimein and Wakool) and the MIA and CIA plans.

Each plan is an integrated natural resource management strategy prepared by landholders and local communities in partnership with NSW and Federal governments.

Over the life of these plans, irrigation communities will invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the quest for sustainable ecology, economies and communities through these plans.

There are differences between the plans in terms of specific targets, criteria and maturity of the plans, however a number of features are common.

What are the benefits?

• Improved farm management and practices including irrigation management, water use efficiency, recycling and re-use and farm forestry
• Improved regional management practices including drainage, recycling and storage and channel seepage control
• Education programs, monitoring mechanisms and research and development
• Protection and enhancement of natural resources and biodiversity