February 10, 2012

Western Australia begins agricultural project

The government of Western Australia has started a project called Agrifood 2025+, which targets to boost debate and discussion about the future of its agricultural production.

Agricultural Minister, Terry Redman, says by 2025 the world's population is expected to have grown by 2.5 billion people, and Western Australia needs to be ready to capitalise on the rising demand for food, particularly in Asia.

He says areas in the north of Western Australia have the potential to produce a lot more food.

"I think the huge opportunity lies in irrigated agriculture and I think the Pilbara through mine de-watering, where there's potential to use 200 to 300 gigalitres of water coming out of our mines, very good water, which can be potentially used for agriculture," he said. "And mosaic developments through the Fitzroy region (of the Kimberley) also present opportunities on top of what's already there. I think there are huge opportunities in Western Australia to expand agricultural production."

Western Australia exports more than US$5 billion of agricultural products each year and that figure is expected to grow with the projected population growth.

Redman says the Western Australia Department of Agriculture and Food will hold workshops with businesses in the industry to come up with ideas to support the Agrifood 2025+ plan.

Sorghum growing under pivot irrigation on Liveringa Station (2006). The Western Australian Government says there is room for more mosaic irrigation projects in the Fitzroy region of the Kimberley.