Water use efficiencies and storage key considerations

Growcom’s Farm Business Resilience Program (FBRP) is assisting horticultural growers to identify gaps in their current farm management systems and develop plans that support growth and aid in mitigating the impacts of future droughts.

Using Growcom’s best management practice platform, Hort360 growers can easily undertake a gap-analysis and develop their Resilience Plan using the inbuilt template. Financial assistance is also available and can be accessed through QRIDA.

Tony and Irina Polsoni from Polsoni Pines, have been growing pineapples on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast for three generations.

Through participation in Growcom’s Farm Business Resilience Program water use efficiencies and storage were identified as key considerations for Tony and Irina as priorities to work towards to better prepare their business for future droughts and ensure long-term resilience.

Growcom Resilience Facilitator John Targett said QRIDA has a range of grants and loans available to assist primary producers with on-farm capital improvements.

“QRIDA funding can be used to install new water infrastructure including irrigation systems, water tanks, new dam construction and water pumps,” Mr Targett said.

“To access QRIDA funding, horticultural businesses need to complete a Farm Business Resilience Plan.

“A Farm Business Resilience Plan spanning 5 – 10 years not only has long-term benefits but is helpful when working with financial planners and banking establishments.”

Tony Polsoni said on-farm industry designed programs continue to drive productivity and profitable outcomes as well as demonstrate environmental benefits and natural resource stewardship.

“Best Management Practice platforms such as Hort360 are an effective mechanism to do this, by identifying on-farm management practice changes that lead to both environmental benefits and production gains,” Tony said.

Tony’s advice to others thinking about implementing practice change was, “If we keep doing what we’ve always done, we’re always going to get what we’ve always got.”

“We need to think outside the box and look beyond conventional methods.

“Talking about ideas stimulates thought processes for current and future land management practice, adapting current technology and developing new or innovative technology.”

Tony and Irina are currently in the process of completing their Farm Business Resilience Plan outlining their current operation, who is involved, what goals they have for the future, and how they plan to get there. This planning process has identified further projects the Polsonis are considering implementing in the future.

The Farm Business Resilience Program is jointly funded through the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Government’s Drought and Climate Adaptation Program and is available to horticultural growers until June 2024.