Irrigators in the Murray-Darling Basin have demonstrated a significant capacity to adapt to low water availability conditions, delegates at the ABARE Outlook conference heard in Canberra today.

ABARE Senior Economist, Tim Goesch, said that irrigators’ adaptation options ranged from short-term and flexible techniques, such as engaging in temporary water trade, to more extensive and long-term techniques such as upgrading irrigation infrastructure and technology.

“There are still some policy areas that could be improved to provide irrigators with greater flexibility in responding to a reduced or more variable water supply,” Mr Goesch said.

Mark Skewes, Research Scientist at the South Australian Research and Development Institute, presented findings of a recent drought monitoring trial in the South Australia Riverland which has gathered information on the effect of reduced water use on certain permanent crops.

“An understanding of the critical point of yield decline because of insufficient water is a key piece of information to assist irrigators,” Mr Skewes said.

Mr Skewes said water trade was a viable short run adaptation option for maintaining yields of some high value permanent horticultural crops in the region.

Colin Mues of the Dept of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts discussed the Australian Government’s Water for the Future initiative.

Mr Mues discussed three key aspects of the initiative including water market reforms, government investment in water use efficiency and the environmental water buyback program.

“With the approach of the new Basin Plan, irrigators and regional communities are starting to prepare for a future with less water, the Government is rolling out Water for the Future to smooth the path to this new future,” Mr Mues said.

Finally Michael Taylor of the Murray-Darling Basin Authority discussed the progress and challenges in developing a new Murray-Darling Basin Plan.