16 February 2009 |
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| Follow-up survey of irrigators in the Murray Darling Basin |
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| ABARE today starts its second, large-scale survey of more than 900 irrigators throughout the Murray-Darling Basin region, collecting data to understand the changing situation of irrigators since the previous survey conducted in 2006-07. “This second survey will show how irrigators have fared in financial terms relative to the previous year, and how their management practices may have changed,” said ABARE's Executive Director, Phillip Glyde. The second survey starts Monday 16 February and will collect information on irrigated agricultural production, the financial situation of irrigators and some of the issues which confronted irrigators in the 2007-08 financial year. Irrigators will be surveyed across ten regions in the Basin. Results from the previous 2006-07 survey provided an important first snapshot of irrigators’ financial situation throughout the Basin. “Unfortunately, many irrigators, particularly in the southern portion of the Basin, again had to manage drought and associated low water allocations in 2007-08,” Mr Glyde said. “This second survey will therefore be an important follow-up to that undertaken in 2006-07.This will be the first chance to do a year on year comparison of irrigation farm performance.” “We need accurate information from irrigators so we can understand the challenges facing the sector. I strongly encourage irrigators to participate,” Mr Glyde said. All information provided by irrigators remains confidential. ABARE will only release the results from the survey in terms of averages for a given region or industry. The survey interviews are conducted on-farm by identified ABARE data collectors. |
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| For media interviews and comment, please contact Dale Ashton, Senior Economist, Farm Economic Analysis Section, on 02 6272 2368, or email dashton@abare.gov.au For general media enquiries, contact Maree Finnegan, Media Coordinator on 02 6272 2260, mobile 0417 689 567 or email mfinnegan@abare.gov.au Download and read ABARE publications at www.abare.gov.au or phone Publications on 02 6272 2010. |
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