7123.1.55.001 - Agricultural State Profile, New South Wales, 2002-03  
ARCHIVED ISSUE Released at 11:30 AM (CANBERRA TIME) 14/07/2004   
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The nature and pattern of agricultural settlement in NSW has been largely determined by rainfall, topography, the quality of soil and accessibility to markets. Many factors have since influenced this pattern including improvements in transportation, cultivation methods, seed varieties, fertilisers, soil conditioners and breeding programs.

The availability of water has been, and will remain, central to the nature and extent of the state's agricultural development. Rainfall is low and irregular over a wide area of NSW yet, at times, flooding can be a serious problem, making control of water resources essential to the development of a viable agricultural sector.

At 30 June 2003, there were an estimated 41,093 farms in NSW.

ESTABLISHMENTS WITH AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY(a), NSW, at 30 June
Number
1997(b)
42,758
2001
41,951
2002
41,651
2003
41,093
(a) Refers to farm establishments with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more.
(b) At 31 March.
Source: Agriculture, Australia (cat. no. 7113.0) and Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0).

The Northern Statistical Division (SD) recorded the highest number of farms in NSW at 30 June 2003 (6,264). This was followed by the Central West SD with 5,468 farms.
ESTABLISHMENTS WITH AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY(a), at 30 June 2003
Statisical Division
Number
Sydney
1,786
Hunter
3,011
Illawarra
953
Richmond-Tweed
2,997
Mid-North Coast
2,920
Northern
6,264
North Western
4,337
Central West
5,468
South Eastern
4,373
Murrumbidgee
4,665
Murray
4,016
Far West
304
New South Wales
41,093
(a) Refers to farm establishments with an EVAO of $5,000 or more.
Source: Unpublished ABS data available on request, 2003 Agricultural Survey.




This section contains the following subsection :
        Agricultural industry
        Land use

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