DAF Agriculture Overview Adam West Regional Director 9 October 2017
The Mighty Burdekin A significant area of the State, with a catchment area of ~130,000 km 2 One of Australia s largest rivers by peak discharge volume (in the order of 40,000 m 3 / sec at full tilt) Intrinsic natural values, RAMSAR Wetlands and discharge to Great Barrier Reef Reliable water (surface and groundwater), ~300 solar days of sunshine a year and fertile well drained soils Conditions allow for counter seasonal and extended seasonal production windows of many tropical and sub tropical crops The Burdekin is and remains one of the most productive agricultural regions in Australia
Water as the enabler Queensland s largest dam in Burdekin Falls (1.86 million mega litres), servicing the Burdekin Haughton Water Supply Scheme (BHWSS) and Lower Burdekin Delta Significant groundwater reserves with average groundwater storage above mean sea level ~ 400,000 mega litres
Agricultural Sector Extensive beef cattle is the spatially dominant land use Sugarcane dominates intensive cropping in the lower Burdekin, but with an ever increasing diversified production base. Major local employer (>20% of pop base) directly in agriculture forestry and fishing / aquaculture (excludes support services / supply and value chain)
2015 Area (Ha) Production Tonnes Cattle 73,000 head 8.1 Turn off >16,000 Sugar 70,473 8,276,380 339 Horticulture and Vegetable Pulse & Grain Rice (aerobic), Soy and Mung 3,500 130 2000 5950 3.35 GVP ($Mil) Mung Beans Navy beans Soya beans Cotton Maize Eggplant Grapes (table) Pumpkins Watermelons Beans (fresh) Zucchini Capsiums Cattle Rock/honeydrew melons Sweet corn Aquculture Mangoes Sugar Sugar Burdekin Production Fishing and Aquaculture >20 Sandalwood 770 Total raw commodity for agriculture > $500 Million
Global Drivers (Opportunities and Challenges) By 2050 world food demand in expected to rise by 77% in monetary terms Much of this demand will come from Asia / Indo Pacific where demand is expected to double, growing affinity with western diets and associated packaging Meat and dairy consumption is increasing, along with key staples such as grains and legumes CSIRO s five megatrends impacting on the food and agriculture sector: A less predictable planet (climate / pest and disease), Health on the mind, Choosy Customers (tailoring of food and food services to individual preferences and lifestyles), One World (global supply and value chains / market differentiation), Smarter food chains (e commerce platforms / low waste supply chains)
Competitive Advantages Reliable water of good quality Arable land World class production systems and produce Favourable biosecurity status Mature service industries and labour supply Arterial connectivity sound road, rail and associated supply chain logistics (Port of Townsville) Regional hub of Tropical and Dry Tropical expertise (JCU, AIMS, CSIRO, BPS, SRA, Government) Proximity and interplay with other growth sectors (Mining) Proximity to the Asia / Pacific Region Conducive political environment for development in Northern Queensland (Local, State, Federal)
Risks and Challenges Climate Variability (Resilience) Environmental Impact (Agri pollutants, Salinity, Coastal development) Costs of Production (Scaling water, energy, transport) Saturated domestic markets Age Demographic / Succession Planning Workforce / Skilling
Opportunities Moving Forward Export focus / new investment interests (domestic & foreign*) Reduce costs of production (Scale) Capturing value add (Sugar, Horticulture, Vegetable, Meat) Crop systems and new technologies to lessen impact on the environment (rotational / complimentary pulse and grain and protected area cropping) Renewable energy and products* (Solar, Bio renewables, MBD Energy) Technology Northern Processing / Distribution Hub Market Differentiation being able to present an evidence based and defensible food story (Clean, Green) Market Access and Premiums
Broader Regional Development / Bigger Picture Cape York (Laura / Lakeland) Gulf Rivers (Flinders and Gilbert) Tablelands Expansion / Diversification Broader Burdekin / Bowen Design of BFD allows for future increase of storage capacity (feasibility report recently completed) & future hydro electric Central Queensland
Departmental Initiatives DAF s Strategic Plan 2017 2021: Objective 1 Objective 2 Objective 3 Create the conditions for successful agribusinesses and supply chains which encourage innovation and productivity Assist people in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and rural businesses to respond to challenges and protect environmental values Ensure the sustainable management of natural resources to underpin productivity and protect the environment Major reform areas Biosecurity Strategy, Sustainable Fisheries Strategy, Queensland RD&E Roadmap, Forest and Timber Industry Plan, Rural Economic Development, Rural Jobs and Skills
Ministerial Priorities Priorities for policy development and infrastructure provision underpinning rural economic development are in the areas of: Water Energy Transport Communications These are the hard economic infrastructures that support rural economic development. Other important infrastructures can be characterised as smart (eg, R&D support), soft (eg, regulatory and compliance systems) and social (eg, skills and training support). The Minister is arranging Ministerial Forums with his colleagues and their agencies to explore how DAF can best work with them to identify and take advantage of opportunities to achieve rural economic development outcomes in these areas.
Projects / New Initiatives One Stop Service to help private sector initiatives speed development proposals for agricultural projects in North Queensland https://www.daf.qld.gov.au/business trade/development/one stop service for agriculture planning and development Growing Queensland Horticultural Exports providing targeted help for growers to find and expand export markets. This will focus on improving international competitiveness and profitability bringing together research, supply chain and export development expertise from across government. Grants of up to $75,000 are available to help producers better understand and exploit overseas markets. The Rural Jobs Initiative designed to support rural agribusinesses in their efforts to attract and retain skilled workers and seasonal labour. The initiative is a $3.572 million investment in industry led workforce programs between 2015 and 2018 Rural Jobs and Skills Alliance, Queensland Agriculture Workforce Network, Schools to Industry Partnership Program and Gateway Schools. Queensland Rural and Industry Development Authority (QRIDA former QRAA) Rural Economics Centre of Excellence to undertake integrated research and provision of specialised programs to deliver sustainable growth of Queensland rural communities and deliver rural jobs. Drought and Climate Adaptation Program (DCAP)
Partnerships Working with stakeholders and communities to identify their priorities is the centrepiece of the rural economic development portfolio. DAF will: Be a conduit (one of many) for community priorities across sectors to be communicated to Government Assess and advise on those priorities that directly impinge on the agribusiness supply chain and its supporting infrastructure (hard, soft, smart and social). Utilisation of existing networks and regional forums.
Contact Mr Adam West Regional Director Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Phone: 33304501 Email: Adam.West@daf.qld.gov.au
So what changes for DAF? Working along the supply chains, both backwards and forwards Working with relevant agencies and the private sector to promote infrastructure and projects in regions that supports primary industries as well as other industries and the community more generally Working in communities recognising that social sustainability is as important as ecological sustainability (social licence to operate BMP, skills) Identifying other opportunities and challenges arising in the broader economy (land use conflict with mining and coal seam gas industry, energy platforms)
DSD / DAF Regional and Rural Economic Development The DSD role includes developing and implementing regionally significant economy building initiatives, delivering regional infrastructure projects through the Advance Queensland / Building our Regions funding programs, project facilitation, and promoting and growing regional supply chains. DSD operates across all industries DAF s role is much more in depth with respect to the agribusiness sector, and is also broader in its scope within that sector, encompassing R&D support, biosecurity, fisheries management, land use planning, a regulatory role with respect to intensive livestock, and industry assistance particularly with respect to managing climate variability.