AgMemo - Horticulture news, April 2018

Is protected cropping the future for WA horticulture?

Hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Peel Development Commission, the forum is part of the state government’s Transform Peel initiative. 

Western Australian growers using or with an interest in protected cropping and soilless agriculture are invited to a statewide forum into the future role of this type of farming.  

Hosted by the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development and the Peel Development Commission, the forum is part of the state government’s Transform Peel initiative. 

Led by the department, the Peel Food Zone (PFZ) is one of three integrated projects within the initiative. It aims to transform agriculture in the Peel region by promoting rural and agricultural enterprises, and initiating long-term planning for 1500ha of irrigated agricultural land by 2031, before increasing to 3000ha by 2050.

Land suitability mapping for the PFZ identified area suitable for ‘closed loop’ intensive agriculture, where waste and excess nutrients are removed and disposed of safely off-site.

This work has raised many questions about the types of crops that might be grown and the demand in domestic and export markets, the level of technology as well as capital and operating costs, economic returns, water and energy use and waste disposal. 

These issues don’t only apply to the Peel region, but are relevant across the state.

The forum, to be held in Mandurah on Tuesday 29 May, will start to address these issues and raise awareness of the potential opportunities protected cropping can offer.

Keynote speaker, Graeme Smith of Graeme Smith Consulting, will provide a national and international context to the forum’s theme: Is protected cropping the future for WA Horticulture?

Jim Kelly of Arris Pty Ltd will outline opportunities arising from the Collie Futures- Protected Cropping Prefeasibility Investigation, part of the Myalup-Wellington Water for Food project.

Local growers using protected cropping have been invited to provide their firsthand insights into investing and operating these systems.

While aimed at growers, industry representatives, investors and consultants; university researchers, regulators or planners from state and local government are encouraged to attend in order to learn about and discuss the future of these innovative approaches to farming and food production in Western Australia.

Anyone wishing to attend the forum is encouraged to visit the event’s website. 

For more information contact Heather Percy, Senior Research Officer, Bunbury on +61 (0)8 9780 6262.