Agricultural Farming with Emphasis on Victoria – Australia

The Covid-19 pandemic has posed unprecedented challenges to the global economy and trade, affecting various sectors and industries. However, Australian agriculture has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability in the face of these disruptions, maintaining its essential role in providing food and fibre to domestic and international markets.

According to the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences (ABARES), Australia's agricultural trade has by and large continued unhindered by the Covid-19 pandemic, with only some sectors experiencing significant impacts. The key factors that have supported Australia's agricultural trade performance include:

- The stable demand for essential food products, especially in China, which is Australia's largest agricultural export market. China's success in controlling the spread of the virus has allowed it to loosen restrictions and put its economy on a path to recovery, boosting its demand for Australian products such as meat, dairy, wine and horticulture.

- The effective response of the Australian government and industry to address the supply chain and logistics disruptions caused by the pandemic. These include changes to visa arrangements for seasonal workers, support for air freight services, coordination with state and territory governments and trading partners to ensure smooth border operations, and provision of timely information and guidance to exporters .

- The favorable seasonal conditions that have improved the domestic production outlook for many agricultural commodities, especially grains, oilseeds and cotton. The recovery from drought is expected to increase the exportable surplus of these products and enhance Australia's competitiveness in global markets.

Despite these positive factors, there are still some risks and uncertainties that could affect Australia's agricultural trade in the short to medium term. These include:

- The potential for further outbreaks of Covid-19 in Australia or its trading partners, which could lead to renewed lockdowns and restrictions that disrupt economic activity and trade flows.

- The ongoing trade tensions between Australia and China, which could result in further barriers or sanctions on some Australian agricultural products, such as barley, beef, wine and lobster.

- The competition from other major agricultural exporters, such as Brazil, Argentina, Canada and the United States, which could erode Australia's market share or price advantage in some commodities.

- The volatility of exchange rates, commodity prices and consumer preferences, which could affect the profitability and competitiveness of Australian agricultural exporters.

In nutshell, Australian agriculture has demonstrated its strength and resilience during the Covid-19 pandemic, maintaining its vital contribution to the national economy and food security. However, the sector also faces some challenges and uncertainties that require ongoing monitoring and adaptation. Australian farmers and exporters will need to continue to innovate and diversify their products and markets to remain competitive and sustainable in the post-pandemic world.

Victoria State is one of the eight states and territories of Australia, located in the southeast corner of the continent. It is the second-smallest state by land area, but the second-most populous and the most densely populated. In this article, we will explore how much total land Victoria State has, how much of it is cultivated and how much can be used to improve agricultural farming.

Agricultural farming is a vital sector for Victoria State in Australia, as it produces 25 per cent of the country's gross value of agricultural production and employs over 150,000 people in primary production and food and beverage manufacturing. However, there are many challenges and opportunities for improving agricultural farming in Victoria, such as climate change, water scarcity, pest and disease management, labour availability, market access, and innovation. Here are some possible ways to improve agricultural farming in Victoria:

Adopting agtech solutions that can enhance productivity, efficiency, sustainability, and resilience of farming systems. Agtech refers to the use of technology to improve agriculture, such as sensors, drones, robotics, artificial intelligence, biotechnology, and block chain. Victoria has a strong agtech ecosystem, with a globally-recognized and industry-integrated technology sector.

Implementing best practices for irrigation management that can optimize water use and reduce environmental impacts. Irrigation accounts for 70 per cent of Victoria's water use and supports 40 per cent of its agricultural production. Some best practices include using soil moisture monitoring, scheduling irrigation based on crop water requirements, improving irrigation system design and performance, and adopting water-efficient crops and technologies.

Enhancing biosecurity measures that can prevent and control the spread of pests and diseases that threaten agricultural production and trade. Biosecurity refers to the protection of plants and animals from harmful organisms such as insects, weeds, fungi, bacteria, and viruses. Some biosecurity measures include following quarantine regulations, reporting suspicious signs of pests and diseases, implementing hygiene and sanitation protocols, and using integrated pest management strategies.

Increasing workforce development and attraction that can address the labour shortage and skills gap in the agricultural sector. Labour is a key input for agricultural production and processing, but it is often difficult to find and retain qualified and reliable workers. Some workforce development and attraction strategies include providing training and education opportunities, offering competitive wages and benefits, improving working conditions and safety standards, and promoting the diversity and career prospects of the agricultural sector.

Expanding market access and diversification that can increase the demand and value of agricultural products in domestic and international markets. Market access refers to the ability to sell products in a market without facing barriers such as tariffs, quotas, standards, or regulations. Market diversification refers to the strategy of selling products to different customers or regions to reduce dependence on a single market. Some market access and diversification strategies include developing quality assurance systems, complying with market requirements, building strong relationships with buyers and suppliers, and exploring new or niche markets.

According to Wikipedia, Victoria State has a land area of 227,444 km2 (87,817 sq. mi), which is about 3% of Australia's total land mass. However, not all of this land is suitable for agriculture. According to the Protected Areas of Victoria, there are 4,468 separate protected areas in the state, covering a total of 3,996,874 ha (9,876,490 acres) or 17.57% of the state's area. These protected areas include national parks, state parks, conservation reserves, marine parks and sanctuaries, and other types of reserves. They are managed for conservation purposes and to protect the natural and cultural heritage of Victoria.

The remaining land area of Victoria State is about 187,000 km2 (72,000 sq. mi), which is available for various uses such as urban development, industry, mining, forestry and agriculture. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, in 2018-19, there were 29,300 agricultural businesses operating in Victoria State, covering a total area of 11.7 million ha (28.9 million acres) or 51.5% of the state's land area. These agricultural businesses produced crops such as wheat, barley, oats, canola, grapes, apples and vegetables; and livestock such as cattle, sheep, pigs and poultry.

However, not all of the agricultural land in Victoria State is equally productive or sustainable. Some areas face challenges such as soil erosion, salinity, water scarcity, pests and diseases, climate change and market fluctuations. Therefore, there is a need to improve the agricultural farming practices in Victoria State to increase the efficiency and profitability of the sector while reducing its environmental impact and enhancing its resilience.

Some of the ways to improve agricultural farming in Victoria State include:

- Adopting more efficient irrigation systems and water management practices to reduce water wastage and improve crop yields.

- Implementing soil conservation measures such as contour ploughing, crop rotation, cover crops and mulching to prevent soil erosion and improve soil fertility.

- Using organic fertilizers and bio pesticides instead of synthetic chemicals to reduce pollution and enhance soil health.

- Diversifying crop varieties and livestock breeds to increase genetic diversity and adaptability to changing conditions.

- Applying precision agriculture techniques such as satellite imagery, drones and sensors to monitor crop growth and health and optimize inputs and outputs.

- Adopting agroforestry systems that integrate trees and shrubs with crops and livestock to create more diverse and resilient landscapes that provide multiple benefits such as carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation and income generation.

- Promoting local food systems that connect farmers with consumers directly or through intermediaries such as farmers' markets, community-supported agriculture schemes and food cooperatives to reduce food miles and waste and increase food security and quality.

These are some of the examples of how agricultural farming can be improved in Victoria State to make it more sustainable and productive. By doing so, Victoria State can contribute to the national and global goals of achieving food security, environmental protection and economic development.