Riverina+Rice

Riverina Rice

 LOCATION

 Riverina is an agricultural region located in southern New South Wales covering 500km in length. It follows the Murrumbidgee River from the Snowy Mountains toward the inland and is part of the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area. Wagga Wagga is the centre of Riverina and its agricultral produce which includes wool, citrus fruits, wine and rice.

GEOGRAPHIC CHARACTERISTICS

The Riverina region receives hot dry summers and cool winters with seasonal rainfall patterns. The region includes 15 local communities and has a population of approximately 155,000 people. Wagga Wagga is the largest inland city and there are many interesting tourist sites such as the Botanic Gardens, Regional Art Gallery, Museum of the Riverina and its two military bases. The city is also known for its growing wine industry.



ISSUE Recently there has been some confilict concerning the amount of water required to cultivate rice. The Riverina is the countries primary rice region but during the last season only 30 of 2500 farmers grew rice due to lack of irrigated water and last year Australia recorded it's smallest crop. With Australia facing a long-lasting drought experts are beginning to consider whether or whether not growing a crop that demands such large amounts of water to be diverted is a waste.



GROUPS INVOLVED

Experts debated on the topic whether rice farming will continue in Australia. Dr. John Angus from the CSIRO Canberra's Division of the Plant Industry and Dr. Eric Craswell from the Fenner School of Environment and Society (Regional Scales) met at the ANU for debate.


 * = Name ||= Viewpoint ||= Desired Action ||
 * = Dr. Craswell ||= The rice industry is unsustainable requiring a higher amount of water than any other crop and recieving the lowest financial return per unit of irrigated water used. ||= <span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Rice farming be left to countries with monsoonal climates where no other crop is able to be grown and help the Australian farmers who can no longer grow rice. ||
 * = <span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Dr. Angus ||= <span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Australian rice farmers are highly adaptable and water-efficient. Profits are reasonable and the industry will expand or contract according to water availability. ||= <span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Rice continues to be farmed in Australia. ||

<span style="display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;"> <span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">CONFLICT FACTORS



<span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">Environmental: Is the continuing of rice farming in Australia a waste of water resources? Technological: Are rice farmers using enough water-efficient irrigation processes? Economical: Has the increase in rice prices helped to counteract the recent profit loss? Social: Is the issue being considered from the point of view of all parties involved? Historical: Should rice farming be completely stopped throughout Australia? Political: How will the government help rice farmers who can no longer grow rice?

<span style="background-color: #ffffff; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

The Snowy Burrow Scheme has been put into place to help struggling rice growers during next Summer. The scheme includes emergency water releases from the Snowy Mountain storages being put into the Murray System. The stategy was backed by the Victorian, New South Wales, South Australia and Federal Government and is expected to make a significant impact on Riverina rice farmers.

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<span style="color: #35333d; display: block; font-family: Verdana,Geneva,sans-serif; text-align: center;">SUMMARY

I understand both points of view of this conflict. Leaving rice growing to other countries such as Vietnam where the weather conditions don't allow any other crop to be grown is a smart idea. But rice has always been grown in Australia especially the Riverina region and there will be dramatic negative impacts if the industry is ceased. I believe the Snowy Burrow Scheme is a great idea and will be a big help to struggling farming families. Rice is an important resource in Australia and the country is doing what it can to continue its production.

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