That’s why we’re pleased to see that the New Zealand National Party Government has launched a Solar On Farms Program, which provides independent advice for farmers considering solar and battery storage on-farm.
New Zealand’s Government is backing sensible ways for their primary industries to reduce costs and help farmers have more control over their power use.
Following FCA’s successful call for battery support for Aussie farmers, seeing this initiative from a government across the pond demonstrates that batteries and solar on-farms are extremely practical for profitability, productivity and the planet.
Congratulations to our Kiwi farmers.
We’re looking forward to government action like this in Australia.
– Ben Gebert, Farmers for Climate Action’s operations and impact director, Stratford, Victoria.
Food security vital for national security
The national focus, quite rightly, is on defence. Maintaining our nation’s security must always be a government’s highest priority.
But what about the other issue of ‘security’, that being food security?
If a world war broke out, how well are we prepared to feed a population that is rapidly approaching 30 million and growing at a rate of more than 2.5 per cent a year?
The reality is, we’re not well prepared and this situation will worsen under current Australian Government policy settings.
In a land of ‘droughts and flooding rains’ our forefathers established irrigation systems, in particular across northern Victoria and southern NSW, which are world’s best practice and designed to drought-proof a large part of the nation.
They allow our farmers to grow food, even as the population increases, and regardless of global circumstances.
But national food security is threatened because the Albanese Government refuses to acknowledge the need to effectively balance water resources.
As a result food production is being reduced and we will become more reliant on imports, which are already growing at an alarming rate.
Australia is now home to millions of migrants, many who moved here hoping for a life that is not adversely impacted by conflict or lack of food.
We may not be able to avoid global conflict, however the issue of producing enough food for every table is under our own government’s control.
If we do not change water policy settings, more imported food will be needed. That is indisputable.
What happens if, like other imported products during COVID-19 and other emergencies, it’s unavailable?
– Shelley Scoullar, Albury, NSW.
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