GROWERS in one of Australia’s fruit and vegetable food bowls will be given insight into streamlining their practices next week.
Mareeba will host the inaugural Efficient Farming Forum on April 27 in order to arm farmers with tools to take their agricultural enterprises to the next level.
The forum is a joint initiative between Mareeba District Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association and Northern Gulf Resources Management Group, and will be held at the Mareeba International Club.
The day-long event will cover key issues facing farmers’ in their goal to be profitable and sustainable long term, including electricity, markets, innovation, weather, diversification and land management.
Mareeba Fruit and Vegetable Growers Association chairman and Biboohra mango grower, Joe Moro, said management was critical to a farmer’s long-term success on the land.
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“Whether you grow tree crops, farm broadacre crops or fatten beef, keeping abreast of the latest technologies, innovation and management practices is vital,” Mr Moro said.
“Farming is no longer about putting a crop in the ground and waiting for it to grow – there is so much more to the story.
“We have pulled together a great list of presenters, many of whom are leaders in their respective fields, to deliver the tools we as farmers, and land managers, need to be profitable and sustainable long-term.”
Designed for growers who farm in the highly productive Mareeba Dimbulah Irrigation Area, which grows a large variety of different crops, the event will be officially opened by Federal Minister for Resources and Northern Australia, Matthew Canavan.
ABC Qld Country Hour host and former ABC Far North Rural journalist, Charlie Mackillop, will moderate for the day.
Among the speakers will be Queensland Farmers Federation’s Andrew Chamberlin who who talk about improving energy efficiency on farms, and Andrew Bate, director and chief executive officer of SwarmFarm Robotics, Queensland-based developers of robotic farming technology.
The day will involve a morning of presentations, with the afternoon to offer an interactive program of breakout sessions before a panel session wraps up proceedings.
It will be supported with stalls from sponsors and other agricultural enterprises.
Mr Moro said it was hoped by providing farmers with easy access to key experts it would help them better prepare to take their operations into the 21st century.
“The knowledge provided will help build the resilience of our farmers who operate in an ever-changing agricultural landscape,” Mr Moro said.
- For more information about the forum, contact forum coordinator, Sherri Soncin: sherri@soncineletrical.com.au