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The Australian rice industry and water
In the past 10 years, rice growers in Australia have increased production per hectare by 60% while at the same time decreasing water use per hectare by 30%. However, rice is still a major user of water in Australia, accounting for some 11% of irrigated water use.
Net Water Use by Irrigated Crop Type
Australia often experiences drought conditions, which limits water resource availability and can severely limit rice production. Water generally accounts for 20% to 30% of the total variable cost of rice production. So, rice growers in Australia who can reduce water use without affecting productivity, can also improve profit margins. Additionally, lowering water tables and salinity through use of less water can enhance the future use and sustainability of rice farms.
In Australia, most of the rice production comes from the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of NSW with a small quantity grown in Victoria. Rice fields are flood-irrigated throughout the growing season - October to March.
In Australia, most of the rice production comes from the Murrumbidgee and Murray valleys of NSW with a small quantity grown in Victoria. Rice fields are flood-irrigated throughout the growing season - October to March.
The Australian rice industry – some facts
- Annual Australian production = 1.2 million tonnes from approx. 150,000ha
- Australian consumption = 10 kg/person/year.
- Up to 85% of the rice produced in Australia is exported.
- Globally, Australians are the most productive and most water efficient rice-growers - achieving the greatest yield per hectare and greatest yield per ML of water used.
- Average Australian yield is 9 tonne/ha, but some farms have recorded yields as high as 14 tonne/ha (the world average is only about 4 tonne/ha.)
- The industry has a farm gate value of around $350 million and total value (export earnings, value-added) of over $800 million.
- No more than 30% of the approved rice area on a farm in the Murrumbidgee Irrigation Area can be used to grow rice at any one time. In the Murray Valley there is a limit to water use of 4ML/ha across the whole farm, which equates to around one third of the farm being used at any one time for growing rice.