Water - Australian Farm Institute

August 2021 Insights

Published 16 Aug 2021

Sometimes agriculture can be regarded as insular and resistant to learnings from outside industry. Wickedly complex agricultural challenges such as climate change, food security and natural capital degradation intersect with other areas across the economy, and cross-sectoral learning can be transferred for the benefit of all. This Insights newsletter explores…

AFI UPDATE: Many irons in the fire

Published 12 Aug 2021

While lockdowns can make the days seem long, it’s been a far from dull year for the AFI as we shoot past the halfway mark. Our small but mighty team has been kept busy producing publications, events and research to lead the farm policy discussions which ensure a viable future…

Innovation Soil carbon Technology Water

DISCUSSION PAPER: Creative destruction in Australian water markets

Published 26 Feb 2021

Broadacre irrigation in the southern Murray-Darling Basin is set to change dramatically: is this the creative destruction we want? In discussions about the Basin Plan and re-balancing extractive water rights in favour of environmental needs, one key reform has been consistently underestimated in its significant and permanent effect on irrigation…

Economics Water Water markets

Foot off the gas

Published 1 Dec 2020

How a gas-led recovery will impact Australian farmers

Agriculture & gas production enterprises have different values & goals. For the sake of our farmers & our agriculture sector, it’s time to take our foot off the gas. This short video summarises the AFI briefing paper produced with the support of Farmers for Climate Action and the Australian Conserv

Gas land use conflict Water

BRIEFING PAPER: Foot off the gas

Published 30 Nov 2020

The Federal Government has announced that part of Australia’s strategy to deal with the economic impacts of COVID-19 will be a ‘gas-led recovery’. However, increasing gas production in Australia creates obstacles to the agriculture sector’s economic viability, social cohesion, environmental stewardship and ability to meet sustainability goals.

Climate Energy Gas Water

November 2020 Insights

Published 25 Nov 2020

It’s been a tumultuous year in many ways but there’s one topic which is undeniably ubiquitous: how has COVID changed the ways we operate? This edition of Insights looks at NSW Farmers’ eight-point reform and recovery plan, canvasses global opinions on potential international farm policy ramifications, covers the shift to…

COVID-19 Economics Energy Food Security Macroeconomics Natural Capital Policy Regional Social Licence Trade Water

What does a gas-led recovery strategy mean for farmers?

Published 23 Nov 2020

The Federal Government has announced that part of Australia’s strategy to deal with the economic impacts of COVID-19 will be a ‘gas-led recovery’. This strategy asserts that increasing gas production (by opening new basins and building more gas-burning power stations) and creating a transparent market will make Australian energy cheaper…

Energy Environment Land Regional Risk Social Licence Water

De-risking Australian agriculture

Published 1 Nov 2019

The AFI is currently conducting very timely research into risk management systems in Australian agriculture. While the research is not yet complete, there have been several learnings from the work to date. Building resilience and facilitating early intervention will involve a strategy that includes a range of Government and industry…

Climate Drought Environment Finance Insurance Regional Risk Water

Winter 2019: A thirst for certainty: irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin

Published 1 Jun 2019

Irrigated agriculture has been one of the most contentious issues of 2019. Calls for a Royal Commission into the management of the Murray-Darling Basin are an indication of just how high emotions have been running on this issue. While it is arguable that when no-one is happy it is probably…

Conservation Horticulture Infrastructure Irrigation MDB Sustainability Water

Reframing farmers’ role in land management

Published 1 May 2019

Of the many “us versus them” frames often triggered in agriculture, one of the most divisive is “farming versus the environment”. Australian agricultural producers manage almost half of the country’s landmass. But in mainstream media and policy debate, the environment is discussed as something quite separate from farmers as people…

Climate Finance Irrigation MDB Natural Resource Management NRM Regional Risk Water

The changing skillset of the agricultural workforce

Published 1 May 2019

In this Hindsight article, we look back at past AFI publications on the agricultural workforce and delve further into future skillsets and changing perceptions of regional or agricultural careers. Skillsets incorporating increased knowledge in areas of technology, environment and management will be increasingly demanded in agriculture.

Climate Finance Irrigation MDB Natural Resource Management NRM Regional Risk Water

The value of irrigated agriculture

Published 1 May 2019

Irrigated agriculture is currently facing significant public scrutiny. However, the public and policy discussion on water use is happening largely in the absence of reliable evidence about the value of irrigated agriculture and the consequences to communities of an increased diversion of consumptive water away from irrigation.

Climate Finance Irrigation MDB Natural Resource Management NRM Regional Risk Water

Tag: Water

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August 2021 Insights

AFI UPDATE: Many irons in the fire

DISCUSSION PAPER: Creative destruction in Australian water markets

Foot off the gas

BRIEFING PAPER: Foot off the gas

November 2020 Insights

What does a gas-led recovery strategy mean for farmers?

De-risking Australian agriculture

Winter 2019: A thirst for certainty: irrigation in the Murray-Darling Basin

Reframing farmers’ role in land management

The changing skillset of the agricultural workforce

The value of irrigated agriculture

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