QLD: Water lessons for small croppers

AAP General News (Australia)
04-01-2001
QLD: Water lessons for small croppers

BRISBANE, April 1 AAP - Queensland's fruit and vegetable growers have appointed a specialist
to show them how to irrigate their crops more efficiently.

David Clark, a former New South Wales small crops consultant, has been chosen as the
Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers (QFVG) water program manager to oversee its Water
for Profit program.

Mr Clark, a crop consultant for 12 years, said water was a major issue for growers.

"Queensland horticulture, like the rest of rural Queensland, is facing increasing competitive
demands for its finite water supply," Mr Clark said.

"More than 95 per cent of the industry uses some form of irrigation and water issues
are hotly debated in the community and the media," he said.

Mr Clark said primary producers were under increasing pressure to use the resource
responsibility to ensure sustainability.

The QFVG Water for Profit program was part of the Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative
funded by the Department of Natural Resources, he said.

AAP geb/cdh

KEYWORD: CROPPERS

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