This month’s FNQ Growers R&D Field Day will showcase the evolving horticultural landscape, with traditional crops alongside new, emerging opportunities.
FNQ Growers, together with major sponsor TGT and other stakeholders, is hosting the day-long event on Friday 29 July at the Mareeba Turf Club.
The farming landscape in Far North Queensland has changed immensely. Mainstay crops have made way for other commodities, helping position the region as a horticultural powerhouse in northern Australia.
Mangoes – today valued at more than $35 million – was the first to emerge, when the region’s tobacco industry deregulated more than 20 years ago. Today, the region’s billion-dollar agricultural industry is headlined by bananas, with avocados, sugar, blueberries and citrus (lemons and limes) all featuring in the top 10.
At the same time, traditional production areas in crops like bananas and sugar have expanded geographically, from the coast to the hinterland and further west.
FNQ Growers president Joe Moro said diversification has driven the industry’s development as growers work to remain sustainable and protect from extreme weather events.
Cotton is the ‘new kid on the block’, and as Cotton Australian general manager (operations) Michael Murray, explained cotton gives farmers in the region another production choice. Mr Murray said:
While recognising this year’s wet season fell short of average, leading to tough growing conditions in North Queensland, interest in the crop remains high. We have seen approximately a doubling of area from the 20/21 season to the 21/22 season, and we expect further growth in Far North Queensland when this year’s crop is planted in December.
Peak bodies for mangoes, citrus, papaya, bananas, avocados and cotton will take their place at the field day, along with many other horticultural industry stakeholders.
The FNQ Growers R&D Field Day is an initiative of FNQ Growers. TGT is the major sponsor for the event.
