Centre for Policy Development's Blog, page 78
November 13, 2012
Farming Smarter, Not Harder | Quotes in support
The launch event on 1 November at Parliament House, Canberra, was co-hosted by Senators Bill Heffernan from the Liberal Party and Rachel Siewert from the Greens, with a formal speech by Labor MP Janelle Saffin.
Below is a selection of written quotes welcoming the report.
Sid Sidebottom, Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
In my travels, both nationally and internationally, I’ve met with great appreciation of the cleverness of Australian farmers – producing great quality products in difficult circumstances. But I’ve always wondered whether we can be smart as well as clever. The ‘Farming Smarter, Not Harder’ report is full of good ideas on how to be not just clever but smart – making the most of the food boom over the long term by innovating and investing in the natural assets that underpin it. And why wouldn’t we it’s the smart thing to do?
David Chamberlin, CEO, Birchip Cropping Group Inc. (BCG)
“I am pleased to support the call for increased investment in agricultural and natural resource management research, development and extension programs to improve our productivity, profitability and sustainability well into the future. It is also pleasing to see the recognition of the valuable place which rural communities play in supporting our farmers while they increase productivity and the need for social services and support to be improved to these communities. To achieve substantially increased food production – from economically and environmentally sustainable farms, unfettered by additional regulations and supported by vibrant rural communities – would be the ultimate goal.”
Bernard Brain, 2012 Diversification Farmer of the Year
“I see great potential for expansion of food production in Tasmania. The problem, however, is achieving realistic and sustainable returns for effort; with the relentless push for cost cutting and price reduction to the producer and processor, with inevitable unsustainability of production and cost to the environment.I hope this report will make a strong contribution to necessary and urgent policy debates on state and national levels.”
Maj Gen Michael Jeffery, Australian Advocate for Soils
“I commend the Centre for Policy Development’s Report ‘Farming Smarter not Harder’ for its thorough and very readable analysis of the challenges and opportunities for Australian agriculture. Its strong focus on soil health and the importance of the stewardship of the land role undertaken by farmers, highlight the fundamentals for future national success.”
Mike Hirst, Managing Director, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank
“The Australian agricultural industry has always been a major contributor to the wealth of our economy and in making rural communities sustainable. The debate on how the industry can best take advantage of the growing demand for its product is important for all Australians and adds to the leadership already being shown by many farmers. “Farming Smarter, Not Harder” is a welcome contribution to that debate, particularly in its call for more research and funding to assist that. In any debate there are many views that need to be heard to ensure a well reasoned and fair strategy can be mapped out for the benefit of all stakeholders. This report is identifying areas worthy of serious analysis.”
Joy Beames, State Agricultural & Environmental Officer, Country Women’s Association of NSW
I see the report “Farming Smarter, Not Harder” to be of great benefit to the agriculture sector in Australia. Increased investment in research and development as well as providing long-term funding for regional Natural Resource Management bodies is essential for the forward movement towards sustainable food production. The recognition of communities as an important support tool for farmers is also pleasing to see included in the report.
November 8, 2012
Report shows need for sustainability practices | The Advocate, 8 Nov 2012
While NFF chief executive Matt Linnegar stressed that NFF did not agree with all the report’s policy recommendations, he did endorse its focus on fostering lasting competitive advantage through innovation, environmental protection, and minimising industry dependence on fuel and fertiliser use.
It is the impact on business-as-usual and the potential to boost productivity and profitability that seems to have piqued the interest in the report from NFF, who recognise that a sustainable, long-term approach to agriculture could bring about greater competitive advantage.
Laurie Eadie, lead author of Farming Smarter, Not Harder, explains that the report takes a far-sighted approach by considering “what is needed to drive Australia’s economy beyond the mining boom.”
Access The Advocate article: Report shows need for sustainability practices
November 7, 2012
Public lacks farming insights | Weekly Times, 7 November
CPD’s latest report Farming Smarter, Not Harder is featured in the influential News Limited rural newspaper the Weekly Times. The CPD report highlights the report’s recommendations that communities and government policies need to support farmers to grasp opportunities from growing international food demand.
The article goes on to say:
The CPD wants a massive R&D re-investment and more recognition of the reality of farming and of farmers’ hard-earned knowledge and their stewardship caring for the land.
November 6, 2012
Food boom with a twist turns screws on farmers | Ross Gittins | Sydney Morning Herald, 7 Nov
Gittins surveys the Asian landscape and finds that rising Asian populations and affluence present a golden opportunity for Australian agriculture, but that environmental constraints are ignored at our peril.
Citing climate change as his “first question”, Gittins quotes Farming Smarter, Not Harder as predicting that, “without action to reduce or manage climate risks, Australia’s rural production could decline by 13 per cent to 19 per cent by 2050″.
The first thing to realise about the rise of Asia is that our farmers are about to join our miners in the winners’ circle. The second is that climate change and other environmental problems may greatly limit our farmers’ ability to exploit this opportunity. The third is that what we see as a looming bonanza, the rest of the world sees as a global disaster.
Read the full Ross Gittins article on smh.com.au
Read CPD report, Farming Smarter, Not Harder – Securing our agricultural economy
November 5, 2012
Smarter farming needed to reap Asian rewards | The Age, 1 Nov
Richard Willingham wrote about the new CPD report, Farming Smarter, Not Harder, noting some of its key findings in exploring the future of Australian agriculture, as global populations soar and become more affluent and demand for food rises accordingly, just as Australian farmers struggle to negotiate immovable environmental limits.
FARMERS must work the land smarter rather than harder to take full advantage of the coming Asian population boom and to combat increasing soil degradation and climate change pressures on agriculture, in a bid to capitalise on estimated $16 billion increase in food exports over the next four decades.
The Centre for Policy Development, a progressive think tank, will today release a paper that examines how agriculture can continue to bolster the Australian economy, especially with the Asian boom — farm products currently make up 10 per cent of all exports and are worth $35.9 billion.
Read the article in full on theage.com.au
Read Farming Smarter, Not Harder
Download The Age article: Smarter farming needed to reap Asian rewards
Smarter farming needed to reap Asian rewards | The Age, 1 November
Richard Willingham wrote about the new CPD report, Farming Smarter, Not Harder, noting some of its key findings in exploring the future of Australian agriculture, as global populations soar and become more affluent and demand for food rises accordingly, just as Australian farmers struggle to negotiate immovable environmental limits.
FARMERS must work the land smarter rather than harder to take full advantage of the coming Asian population boom and to combat increasing soil degradation and climate change pressures on agriculture, in a bid to capitalise on estimated $16 billion increase in food exports over the next four decades.
The Centre for Policy Development, a progressive think tank, will today release a paper that examines how agriculture can continue to bolster the Australian economy, especially with the Asian boom — farm products currently make up 10 per cent of all exports and are worth $35.9 billion.
Read the article in full on theage.com.au
Read Farming Smarter, Not Harder
Download The Age article: Smarter farming needed to reap Asian rewards
November 4, 2012
Miriam Lyons | ABC The Drum, panellist, 1 November 2012
Miriam Lyons (CPD), Kerry Chikarovski (Liberal Party) and Kathryn Murphy (The Age), hosted by Steve Cannane
Miriam was able to use the platform to raise the new report launched that day by CPD, Farming Smarter, Not Harder, opening a discussion of the need for Australia to enable good agricultural practice to take advantage of rising populations, food demand and prices, particularly in Asia.
On other issues, Miriam agreed with Andew Wilkie that poker machine reform measures could prove a useful “Trojan horse”, while the spokesman from Clubs ACT had revealed his poker hand in saying that no club should be financially disadvantaged by legislation to reduce the impact on problem gamblers – although NSW statistics show that problem gamblers account for 40% of revenue in that state. A new hunger protest by refugees on Nauru suggests that the current policy is having at least some negative repercussions… Miriam pointed out the “thin” evidence base behind the decision to treat asylum seekers badly in order to deter future refugees from boarding boats, and argued for more robust research. Tony Windsor had urged government and coalition to address the need for savings, by reviewing legislation benefiting ‘middle class’ people. This led to a discussion of the value or otherwise of independent MPs in a hung parliament.
November 1, 2012
Reward farmers for land management, report urges | The Australian, 1 Nov
Neales emphasised report recommendations for greater government support to encourage sustainable practices. Report author Laura Eadie was interviewed for the article.
FARMERS should be paid cash or offered financial incentives for better managing their land, soil and local landscapes according to a new report released today by the independent Canberra think-tank, the Centre for Policy Development.
Access article on theaustralian.com.au (subscription required)
Farming smarter not harder to profit from food boom | ABC Radio, 1 Nov
CPD Sustainable Economy Research Director Laura Eadie joined Tony Eastley, Sarah Clarke and beef farmer Rod Hoare on ABC Radio to speak about CPD’s new report, Farming Smarter, Not Harder, on the morning of the report’s launch.
There’s good and bad news in the latest, most comprehensive snapshot on the future of Australian farming. The good news is, if it’s done right, Australia can make an extra $16 billion by 2050, but it also warns that food prices will be higher and more volatile.
Click here to access ABC Radio’s excerpt highlighting CPD’s report
October 30, 2012
Farming Smarter, Not Harder – Securing our Rural Economy
‘Farming Smarter, Not Harder’, released Thursday 1 November, is a comprehensive report from the Centre for Policy Development on the future of Australian agriculture in the context of rising global demand, resource scarcity, and environmental pressures.
Global populations are growing and food prices are skyrocketing. This creates new market opportunities for Australian agriculture. But Australia has fragile and vulnerable soils, which are being degraded at an unsustainable rate.
If we continue with ‘business as usual’, we will keep losing soils faster than they can be replaced. Acting now to improve soil condition could increase agricultural production by up to $2.1 billion per year. It could also help farmers cut costs on fertiliser and water use.
“Winners of the food boom will be countries with less fossil fuel intensive agriculture, more reliable production, and access to healthy land and soils” said the report’s author Laura Eadie. “How we manage our land and soils will be key to whether Australia sees more of the upsides or downsides of rising global food demand.”
Farming Smarter, Not Harder finds that Australian agriculture can build a lasting competitive advantage through innovation that raises agricultural productivity, reduces fuel and fertiliser dependence, and preserves the environment and resources it draws on. To achieve this, Australia needs to:
Invest in knowledge: increase government investment in research and development by up to 7% a year; increase funding for extension programs; implement the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to set up Rural Research Australia; fund the national soil health strategy with an endowment sufficient to support ongoing research and monitoring for at least 20 years.
Stop chopping and changing support for regional natural resource management:
Federal and State governments should commit to a 10-year agreement to provide stable longterm funding for regional Natural Resource Management (NRM) bodies, including specific funding to monitor long-term trends in natural resource condition.
Enable accountable community governance of land and soil management: To enable farming communities to protect themselves from free-riding, they should be supported to develop stewardship standards based on a shared understanding of what it takes to maintain productive agricultural landscapes over the long term.
Align financial incentives with the long-term needs of sustainable farming communities: In addition to the drought policy reforms announced on October 26, drought assistance policies should support farming communities to take a lead in preparations for more frequent and severe droughts, and should be linked to community stewardship standards.
“Recent projections indicate the potential doubling of exports by 2050, according to the National Food Plan and ANZ-commissioned Greener Pastures report. Our work looks at how to support farmers dealing with the practical challenges of seizing this opportunity, in the context of soil degradation and rising input costs”, said Laura Eadie.
The case to increase research funding and foster innovative farming is made even stronger by the likely impacts of climate change. Without action to adapt to more variable and extreme weather, by 2050 Australia could lose $6.5 billion per year in wheat, beef, mutton, lamb and dairy production.
The report profiles leading farmers who are already seeing the benefits of innovations in sustainable farming. It proposes simple measures to support them and the agricultural communities that depend on healthy farming landscapes.
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