Funding helps banana growers continue to improve practices

Australian Banana Growers

FEBRUARY 15, 2023: North Queensland banana growers will continue to receive support to invest in the future of their farming businesses and the health of the Great Barrier Reef, thanks to new funding for the Banana Best Management Practice (BMP) program.

The Queensland Government has committed $3.76 million to Banana BMP, allowing the program to continue until at least 2026.

The Banana BMP project, which began in 2018, is delivered by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC). It supports growers to self-assess their own practices and, where possible, make improvements based on expert advice.

ABGC chair Stephen Lowe said he was pleased the Queensland Government had made such a significant investment to support the state’s banana growers.

“This will allow growers to continue to implement best management practice on their farms,” he said.

“It is a practical example of the government backing growers to farm sustainably in the Wet Tropics and Cape York. Our growers are embracing practices that are critical for productivity and profitability but also for improving water quality.

“We take our role as land stewards for the next generation very seriously, and this investment is further evidence of that.”

In the previous phase of the project, more than 2500 hectares of banana production saw changes to farming practices. This represents more than 25 per cent of the total area under bananas in reef catchments.

“I know the very capable ABGC Extension Team wants to continue working with growers to help them consider improving the way they farm,” ABGC CEO to get food from paddock to plate, but Labor has left farmers unable to plant or produce as much food.

“Why is Labor denying Australian farmers the workers they so desperately need?

“Common sense tells you when supply goes down, demand goes up, which is why Australians are paying more at the grocery check-out right now.”

Mr Littleproud added Labor made an obvious mistake in cancelling the Ag Visa, which was designed to supplement the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme for workers in Southeast Asia.

Figures show food and non-alcoholic beverages have increased by 9.2 per cent over 12 months.

“The PALM scheme is not bringing in enough workers and Australians, including farmers and families, are suffering as a result.” sugar to be traced from the paddock to the package.

It’s a technological advancement that will open doors to more international markets and eventually, we hope, produce a premium for Queensland growers.

Australia has one of the world’s most innovative and sustainable sugar industries. Our growers are recognised internationally as some of the best anywhere in the world.

We can all be proud of this wonderful industry, which supports so many coastal communities and contributes significantly to our state’s economy.

Of course, the industry has challenges; negative stories will always garner more media attention than positive ones. But rest assured; there are exciting times ahead for Queensland’s sugar industry.

While many industries may view climate-driven economic change with apprehension, the sugar industry sees an opportunity to become a leader in the nation’s bioeconomy.

Smartcane BMP and the hard work of participating growers is at the centre of this strategy.

The program is 100% voluntary, and I encourage all growers to get involved and seek accreditation.

While we in the industry know we are operating at the highest environmental standards, accreditation provides a validation that opens the doors to policy and market-based recognition.

Leanne Erakovic said. “It doesn’t matter if the grower is new to banana farming or has been doing it for 20 years; there is always a benefit to reviewing your practices, both for sustainability and for profitability.

The Queensland Government announcement coincides with a massive milestone for the industry, with the Banana BMP guidelines set to turn 10 this year. Even before the BMP project began to support the guidelines, they had earnt a reputation as a manual for growers wanting to make positive changes.

“A decade of Best Management Practice is a great achievement for this industry, and something we’ll be marking throughout the year,” Ms Erakovic said.

“It’s also pleasing to see that, as part of the latest round of funding, the government has provided $1.5 million for grants to help growers continue to build on this. We know it’s been a tough few years, and this will go some way to supporting more on-farm improvements, as well as ensuring a strong future for Australian bananas and better water quality.”

Growers interested in finding out more about grants or the Banana BMP project more broadly can contact the team via bmp@abgc.org.au.