To achieve an outcome which benefits the majority of Australians it is vital that the debate on the future of water in Australia, not just in the MDB, be all inclusive. The current debate must be based on the vision for the future of Australia, so that all Australians have ownership of their future and move forward with confidence that they have their share of the nation’s water, food, environmental benefits and other advantages which planning can guarantee. There is more at stake than the health of the rivers in the Murray-Darling Basin.
Table 1. Suggestions for debate on how much irrigation water is required for some crops in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area (ML/Ha). In addition to the water use figures the profits per ML taking into account elasticity effects, and the flow on benefits to communities and food prices need to be considered.
Crop |
Current Average Water Use (ML/ha/season) |
Current Best Farmer Water Use (ML/ha/season) |
Minimum Possible Water Use (ML/ha/season)* |
Summer crops |
|
|
|
Carrot |
4-6 |
4 |
3-4 |
Citrus |
6 |
3 |
2.5-3 |
Corn / Maize |
9 |
8 |
|
Grapes |
5 |
2-3 |
1-2 |
Lucerne |
11 |
9 |
|
Onions |
5-6 |
4 |
4 |
Potatoes |
6-8 |
6 |
5-6 |
Pumpkin |
5 |
4 |
4 |
Rice |
14 |
11 |
10 |
Stone Fruit (Prunes, Peaches) |
8.5 |
5-6 |
|
Tomatoes |
6-7 |
4-5 |
4 |
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* The figures in this column indicate the minimum amount of irrigation water which a crop needs. These data do not allow for different irrigation systems, yearly rainfall variation, soil types or crop duration differences. The best farmers are already using very efficient delivery systems. Data from Charles Sturt University; NSW Agriculture; CSIRO Land & Water; leading producers.
Citation: Batten, G. and Katupitiya, A. (2004) Wealth from water: A regional perspective. pp 49-58 in G. Batten and J. Kent Eds. "Wealth from Water" Wagga Wagga Chamber of Commerce and Charles Sturt University, (2004)
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