This World Food Day, the NSW Irrigators' Council (NSWIC) is highlighting the critical link between water security, food production and sustaining regional communities with the launch of its first-ever
irrigated agriculture calendar, Growing NSW: Irrigated Food & Fibre.
NSWIC CEO Dr Madeleine Hartley said the calendar provides a 12-month snapshot of irrigated agriculture, showcasing what is planted and harvested throughout the year, alongside the agricultural
and community events that are at the heart of regional life.
"Water policy is food policy. The decisions we make about water today will shape our ability to grow food and fibre, support regional communities and provide for future generations," Dr Hartley said.
"At a glance, the calendar highlights the diversity of crops grown across NSW, including cotton, rice, corn, wheat, hay, pecans, almonds, citrus, grapes, beetroot, sugarcane and tea tree - all relying on
water to grow and produce the food and fibre Australians depend on.
"Many people don't realise the scale of irrigated agriculture or the vital role it plays in supporting local jobs and regional communities. The gross value of irrigated agricultural production in NSW is estimated
at $3.5 billion annually.
"Growing NSW: Irrigated Food & Fibre celebrates the growers who work 365 days a year to produce the food and fibre that contributes around 28 per cent of total agricultural production across the state."
Dr Hartley said irrigation underpins a significant share of Australia's food production, accounting for more than 90 per cent of fruit, nuts and grapes, more than 76 per cent of vegetables and 100 per cent
of rice.
"These figures show how closely reliable access to water is linked to the food on our table and the fibres we wear.
"Food security and local production matter more than ever. Water policy must provide certainty for growers and the communities and industries that depend on irrigation - and the consumers that benefit
from sustainably grown Aussie food and fibre".
View the calendar here: Growing NSW: Irrigated Food & Fibre Calendar
