Media Release - Hinchinbrook’s Drive Toward Diversification

Hinchinbrook Shire Council’s drive towards diversification in the agricultural sector is starting to gain momentum with the receipt last week of the draft Capability and Feasibility Study into the Potential Growing of Crops in the Herbert River District.

The study is being prepared by Tropcrop Pty Ltd, agronomists contracted by Council to investigate potential crops suitable to the district’s soil, weather and water patterns that could be commercially produced as a supplementary industry to cane.

Hinchinbrook Shire Council Mayor Ramon Jayo said he was pleased that matters were finally starting to come together.

‘Council is looking to facilitate alternate industry to create the jobs necessary for a sustainable future.  With an abundance of rich soils throughout the district, cropping of alternative agricultural product, including but not limited to Soy Bean, Mung Bean, Peanut, Rice, Safflower and Sweet Potato in rotation to cane cycles is achievable.’

‘The process to date has been exhaustive and soils alone are not the answer. We have delved into other constraints to marketing alternate crops, such as access to water, transport logistics, moisture in product harvested and storage issues.’

‘I constantly hear that “this district has been there, done that and failed”. I know we have constraints to marketing alternative crops, but and there is always a but – no research has been done on the possibility that new plant products and technological advances could have.’

‘Why did the failures occur?  Was it due to a lack of water, or too much water?  Or was there no market, or were transport or supply chain logistics problematic? We need to know these issues to ascertain if there is a way forward and to retest the waters and re-examine our past practices.’

‘Ability to irrigate is one issue, to supplement our rain fed crops. We know that we are restricted in that regard, but there are sufficient reserves for supplementary purposes. Our problem is that there are many sleeper licences preventing access to water by willing farmers, and we are in discussion with the Department of Natural Resources, Mines and Energy (DNRME) seeking the unlocking of such unused supplies.’

‘Access to new water take licences is also difficult and again we are looking at ways to work with DNRME to enable farmers to gain access to underground supplies.’

Council has organised a forum with DNRME to discuss such issues and more, to occur at TYTO on 8 October 2018 and interested farmers are urged to attend.

‘Another problem being addressed is that of high moisture content in product at time of harvest and cost of transport to relevant factories. Solutions identified include combination storage / drying facilities to be established at a central location within the district.  Funding for the establishment of such infrastructure is being sought through the State Government Rural Economic Grants Program.’

‘The district’s often volatile weather will continue to prove a problem, but new technology in the form of mound planting and controlled traffic may prove advantageous to previous historical issues.’

‘Growing windows are also being examined to address the water and volatility issues. Using fallows early to mid year, as against the summer wet season periods, is looking advantageous.’

‘Council is developing a close working relationship with Herbert Cane Productivity Services Limited (HCPSL) in regards to the rotational cropping opportunities and believes all the good work HCPSL is doing in the district, with a view to enhancing cane yield through improved soil health, will assist immensely in establishment of commercial complimentary cropping opportunities. The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and State Development are also assisting with the integral aspects of bringing the project to fruition.’

‘A distinct disadvantage in the past has been the lack of agronomical expertise as to the husbandry of other crops. We believe that we now have in place good access to these services through various networks and the know-how on growing alternative crops will no longer be an issue.’

‘Hinchinbrook Shire Council is also involved as a key partner in the North Queensland Agricultural Market and Supply Chain Study. The 12 month project by North Queensland Regional Organisation of Councils (NQROC) and Townville Enterprise (TEL) will investigate emerging markets, both domestic and overseas, and analyse supply chain gaps and sector capacity within the agricultural sector.’

‘We can no longer afford to do nothing.  Council’s intent with this work is to facilitate the infrastructure and know-how for successful market opportunities.’

‘Now is the time to identify key products and markets that our local producers may be able to target as a rotational crop to our sugar cane industry in order to maximise future return on investment.’

‘There are strong market opportunities driven by Asia’s rapidly growing middle class and we need to make sure that the potential of our district, to be part of an emerging supply chain, is fully investigated. We do not want to miss the boat and we therefore must plan accordingly.’

The North Queensland Agricultural Market and Supply Chain Study will investigate North Queensland’s capacity for new product, infrastructure and export sectors to meet existing and future market demands.  Consultants from KPMG, Premise and AEC will complete the study for the region.