Delivering on a Vision for Agriculture – the Rice Industry Experience

Louise Adcock

Ricegrowers’ Association of Australia

Our Australian Rice IndustryGrowing Rice to Feed the World

Industry Facts

• Over 2000 farming families• Direct industry employment of 6,000 and indirect employment

of over 13,000• $800 million industry - $500 million from value-added exports• Paddock to plate industry• Around 85% of Australia’s rice is exported • Feeds up to 40 million people every day• Improved WUE by 60% in last 10 years • High level of commitment to Research & Development

Rice based systems

average farm = 500 ha high level of self regulation soil suitability 1/3 only of permitted area strict water use targets rice/wheat rotation 50% less water than world ave complementary system

• ‘working wetlands’, min. weeds

Environmental Programs

10 years ago• LWMP’s

• Rice Policy

• Landcare Groups

• Regional Programs

Development of Policy

• Australian Leader in Env. Improvement

• Key messages based on fact

• Flagship Programs

– Biodiversity & Greenhouse Strategy

Where are we now?

• $3 million funding

• Support from peak Green groups

• Image of industry improved

• Rice sits at the table

• Industry Coordination

Biodiversity Programs

Biodiversity Strategy and Plan (BS&P) for the rice industry

– Build the capacity of growers to provide a flexible approach = 17 practical actions

- A coordinated industry approach to biodiversity enhancement across the rice growing region

- Develop a model that is adaptable and transferable to other agricultural industries.

Greenhouse Program

Aims:

Identify & mitigate significant emissions points in rice based systems & processing operations

Achieve cost savings on farm (BMP guidelines) Develop an industry benchmark – greenhouse scorecard Develop innovative greenhouse gas solutions Industry & grower training

Farmer’s Futures…..

What are farmers biggest fears about their future?

Complex legislation, environmental issues Confusing messages Lack of ownership or understand benefits/risks Not recognised for NR management Perceptions No $ link to demonstrating env. performance Understanding of benefits of env. to production

system

= barriers to implementation

10 KEY MANAGEMENT PATHWAYS‘Sustainable risk areas which link on farm to catchment targets’

5 LEVELS: BUILDING CAPACITY OF GROWERS‘Builds grower knowledge & skills to achieve on-ground outcomes’

PARTICIPATION RECOGNITION EVIDENCE

Drivers:Community ExpectationsNRM ReformLWMP & CMB’sFarmers & Industry MotivationIndustry Leadership

Environmental Champions Program Structure

Collectively agreed upon

by all relevantregional

organisations

• Voluntary • Provides encouragement & support• Simplifies Complexities• Makes good business sense• Provides solutions for hurdles• Achieves Environment Outcomes (Legacy)• Achieves Business Outcomes ($)• Achieves Social Outcomes (communities)• Its flexible, practical & adaptable• Assists delivery of partner programs (60% of ECP is existing regional programs)• For all irrigated cropping systems

• Acknowledgment of management ~ current & future• Includes existing regional programs• Assists existing QA programs

• Demonstrates credible evidence of environmental improvement ~ Improves industry image ~ Informs NRM policies

Environmental Champions Program

Level 1: Basic Industry Standards

Level 2: Planning for Beyond Industry Standards

Level 3: Putting Plans into Action & Enhancing Biodiversity

Level 4: Trade, Innovation & Eco-Efficiencies

Level 5: Regional Efforts towards Catchment

Our Partners – working together

• Rice growers• Murrumbidgee Irrigation• Murray Irrigation• Coleambally Irrigation• DIPNR • Workcover• EPA• Landcare• NSW Agriculture• NPWS• Australian Greenhouse Office• DAFF• State Govt Support

• Conservation Volunteers• CMA – Murray & Murrumbidgee• Rice CRC• Environment Australia• CSIRO Land & Water• University of Canberra• Charles Sturt University• SMEC• DRNE (Vic)• EPA & Workcover (Vic)• Goulbourn Valley Water (Vic)• Australian Conservation

Foundation• World Wide Fund for Nature

Why Cluster Groups…..

• Business network groups – beyond ECP

• Promote landholders ‘working together’ – creates efficiencies

• A more effective way of utilising resources - harnessing solutions to hurdles etc & achieving outcomes

• Acts as a motivational tool

• Shares knowledge and ideas

Why cluster groups….

• Materials designed to assist them to assist themselves

• Creates ownership of program as they determine their own targets

• Contributes to the fabric of their local community by including their partners and their families.

• Positive & fun atmosphere

Current Status

Coleambally Murray Murrumbidgee TOTAL

Recognised

Level 1 Champions

2 12 16 30

Cluster Groups 4 13 7 24

Farm Businesses Involved

25 117 46 188

Level 1 participants 25 105 35 165

Level 2 participants 0 12 17 29

Prospective Groups 3 2 3 8

Lessons Learnt

• Be proactive• Recognise your industries issues• Turn visions into actions• Engaging people means communicating effectively• Create ownership on all levels – be inclusive, not

exclusive• Focus on the people, not the content!• Work with other commodity groups not against