Farmers are best known for growing crops and raising animals to provide the food and fibre needs for Australian families, but this week, it’s all about the work they do on farm to look after the environment.
This week marks Landcare Week, an opportunity to recognise the role Australian farmers’ play as environmental stewards and land managers says Jock Laurie, President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF).
“Landcare was founded more than 20 years ago by the NFF in a joint partnership with the Australian Conservation Foundation to deliver projects with positive outcomes for both the environment and agriculture,” Mr Laurie said.
“Today, with support from the Federal Government, Landcare has grown into an environmental movement.
“Farmers are Australia’s frontline environmentalists, looking after 61 percent of Australia’s valuable land resources. After all, farmers have the most to lose should the environment become damaged: we simply cannot farm without healthy soils, healthy water resources and healthy air quality.
“Farmers know that good environmental outcomes and increased agricultural production go hand in hand, which is why natural resource management is a fundamental activity on Australian farms.
“According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 94 percent of farmers undertake some form of natural resource management, including planting trees and shrubs, fencing off rivers, streams and gullies to protect regrowth and restoring wetlands.
“Australian agriculture has also led the nation in reducing greenhouse gas emissions – a massive 40 percent reduction between 1990 and 2006.
“And farmers are also investing financially in natural resource management. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development estimates that the management of soil resources, water resources and biodiversity costs $3.5 billion in Australia annually, or around 10 percent of agriculture’s GDP, and for every government dollar invested, Australian farmers contribute $2.60 in environmental management and protection,” Mr Laurie said.
Landcare Week runs from today until Sunday 9 September. NFF President Jock Laurie will tomorrow speak at the National Landcare Conference. For more, visit http://www.landcareonline.com.au[the Landcare website].
You may also like
Ben Bennett, Peter Herrmann elected new NFF Board Directors
Ben Bennett and Peter Herrmann have been elected to the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) Board today. This follows the announcement earlier today Hamish McIntyre has been elected the new President. They replace...
Queensland farmer Hamish McIntyre elected new NFF President
Queensland farmer Hamish McIntyre has been elected as the President of the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF). Elected by NFF Members as the organisation’s 15th President, Mr McIntyre takes the reins from outgoing...
NFF joins Right to Repair leaders at national summit
Today the National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) joins global Right to Repair leaders, policymakers, industry and academics at the 2025 Australian Repair Summit to map the future of Right to Repair. NFF President David...
Add comment