Study to look at agriculture potential

The State Government last week launched a $5 million study into the agricultural potential of La Grange in the West Kimberley.

Addressing pastoralists on a property near Broome on Thursday, the Minister for Agriculture Terry Redman said horticultural production within the region was currently worth about $10 million.

“There is irrigated flow on to about $30 million and then you get into the live trade beyond that…it is a very low figure given that we know we can grow stuff up here,” he said.

Mr Redman said issues arising from last year’s live trade ban highlighted limitations on current agriculture in the North West.

“Having all our eggs in (the) live export basket means any decision that affects it affects us right to the core and bottom line,” he said.

“You can’t eat iron ore and iron ore is not going to last forever, but agriculture has a huge potential up here.”

The Royalties for Regions-funded study is aimed at growing and diversifying agriculture in the north but will depend on land and water development.

A key barrier is the amount of water in the La Grange aquifer. “Part of this resource is going toward hydrology to prove up a sustainable water supply,” Mr Redman said.

“The second barrier is about getting diversification options on the pastoral leases.

“There are limitations in the current lease arrangements and (Regional Development Minister) Brendon Grylls is working through pastoral land reform so pastoralists have diversification options other than just running cattle,” he said.

Mr Redman suspected horticulture would feature significantly in future agricultural operations.

“Fodder production for livestock to take the pressure off the rangelands, we have already had a number of people talking about the potential for an abattoir and that’s going to need a level of maturity in the sector to feed that facility,” he said.

Mr Redman said some Kimberley pastoralists were already diversifying.

“Shamrock Gardens and Shalimar are doing it in a fairly big way now down in the La Grange aquifer, producing seedless watermelons and…corn into the Coles and Woolworths market.”