IMPORTANCE OF AGRICULTURE
Australia is one of the world's major agricultural producers of grain, beef and dairy, and has large export markets for a range of other commodities including cotton, wool, wine, and other horticulture. Agriculture for food production is an important issue globally. Food shortages, a result of food consumption relative to its production, present an enormous challenge, with some 37 countries currently considered to be "in crisis, requiring external assistance" (FAO 2008). Various factors contribute to this situation. These include changes in climate and/or extreme weather events, changes in land use (e.g. reduced agricultural food production in favour of bio-fuel production and other uses), and general increases in world food prices.
The Australian Agriculture industry is subject to some of the factors listed above. The variable climate is particularly challenging and has prompted a range of policy responses by the Australian Government. An example is Australia's National Drought Policy which was developed in the early 1990s to phase out direct subsidisation and underwriting of drought. It aimed to:
- encourage primary producers and other sections of rural Australia to be more self-reliant in managing climatic variability;
- maintain the agricultural and environmental resource base during periods of high climatic stress; and
- ensure the early recovery of agricultural and rural industries, consistent with long-term sustainable levels (DAFF 2007b).
Print Page
Print All