ENVIRONMENTAL BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE (BMP) BENEFITS GROWERS IN A RANGE OF WAYS. IT CAN IMPROVE PRODUCTIVITY; PROMOTE FARM PROFITABILITY, EFFICIENCIES, AND LONGEVITY; SUPPORT FINANCIAL SAVINGS AND GAINS; AND IMPORTANTLY, DEMONSTRATE TO CONSUMERS THE ROLE OF BANANA GROWERS AS STEWARDS FOR THE ENVIRONMENT.
ABGC HAS SECURED FUNDING FROM THE QUEENSLAND GOVERNMENT REEF WATER QUALITY PROGRAM TO HELP GROWERS CHANGE PRACTICE TO BETTER ALIGN THEIR FARMING SYSTEMS WITH RECOMMENDED BEST PRACTICE.
This funding includes $750,000 in grants for growers, available from 2020 to 2022. Grants of up to $30,000 are on offer (with co-funding by the applicant) to assist in making on-farm improvements. Eligible projects include sediment projects such as contour banks, waterway/drainage upgrades, constructed wetland and projects that minimise nutrient loss (i.e. upgrading to an automated fertigation system with scheduling equipment).
To find out more contact the ABGC Reef Extension Team in North Queensland:
AMELIA FOSTER, BMP COORDINATOR, AMELIA@ABGC.ORG.AU OR 0437 241 687
BANANA BEST MANAGEMENT PRACTICE
The Banana BMP is an annual checklist that growers can use to identify farm management practices they’d like to implement in order to continuously improve to reach/exceed BMP.
The BMP is available as a single downloadable document or an an interactive online questionnaire that banana growers can do by themselves or with the support of an ABGC Extension Officer.
DOWNLOAD THE ENVIRONMENTAL GUIDELINES FOR THE AUSTRALIAN BANANA INDUSTRY HERE
REEF REGULATIONS
In December 2019, the Queensland Government introduced regulations for the use of nitrogen and phosphorous on banana farms in Reef catchments. This also includes implementing measures that minimise sediment loss from farms.
BETTER BUNCH APP
The Banana industry’s ‘BetterBunch’ app is a time saving device to assist growers to record farm practices. This app has been designed to include the requirements under the new Water Quality regulations.
MANAGING YOUR SOIL
Your soil is a valuable resource. Poor farm layout, high traffic areas and lack of ground cover can lead to soil losses. The high rainfall in the Wet Tropics means that all soil loss cannot be avoided but some measures can be taken to minimise soil loss or capture it to prevent sediments entering waterways and ultimately the Great Barrier Reef lagoon.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT
Adopting a range of different strategies to manage pest populations is essential. This helps minimise the potential for chemical resistance and ensure that beneficial insects/organisms are not adversely impacted by control mechanisms. Further information can be found below
MANAGING YOUR NUTRIENTS
In December 2019, the Queensland Government introduced regulations to restrict the amount of nitrogen and phosphorous that can be applied on banana farms in Reef catchments. To find out about these regulations and other resources (factsheets/videos)
WATER QUALITY
Around 90% of banana farming occurs in catchments adjacent to the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. The Reef is under increasing threat from a range of pressures that include the impact of land based run-off associated with agricultural activities. Find out more here