Growcom’s Farm Management System (FMS) is a software programme developed to assist growers in responding to the numerous pressures placed on their operations – from water availability to nutrient management. The Growcom FMS is in modular format with each module focusing on potential risk areas and opportunities for improvement.
Managing nutrient and pesticide inputs and ensuring optimum soil health can lead to improved water quality. Improved water use efficiency reduces run-off, which also has water quality benefits.
Each module of the FMS includes 25 questions for the grower to answer – with assistance from a Growcom field officer – about their current management practices. This identifies potential risks and opportunities to improve their current practices. The programme then generates an action plan where the grower works towards target dates.
While FMS is being rolled out in horticulture regions across Queensland, the main activity in the Reef catchment is occurring in the Wet Tropics and in the Bundaberg regions. Local Growcom staff are undertaking these activities.
Development of the FMS programme has been funded through a variety of sources, including Growcom’s internal funding, the Queensland Government’s Rural Water Use Efficiency Initiative (refer to page 33), the Regional Group Collective’s Systematic Approach to Sustainable Agriculture Across Queensland project and DAFF’s Pathways to Industry EMS Programme (refer to page 31). The roll out of the nutrient module in Far North Queensland is being funded by the NHT. DEW funded the Growcom nutrient management project during 2006–07.
he FMS provides a targeted and systematic approach to provide growers with the right advice on how to manage risks and access opportunities. While improved NRM is an important outcome, the FMS focuses on ensuring that productivity is optimised, which is the key incentive for growers to change their management activities. The FMS is an extension of the Farmcare Code of Practice approach developed by Growcom (the Queensland Fruit and Vegetable Growers) nearly ten years ago.
The actions recommended within the Growcom FMS assist in reducing the amount of nutrients, sediments and pesticides entering our waterways, which in turn helps to reverse the decline in reef water quality.
During 2006–07, the nutrient module was established in a trial phase with extensive work being conducted as part of the Growcom nutrient management project.
In the next stage of the project, banana growers will implement the recommended actions provided by the Growcom FMS. These will be monitored and there will be opportunities for the positive outcomes to be extended to other growers.
Papaya/pawpaw growers will also be involved, with growers working through the FMS module.
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Last reviewed 03 March 2008
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© The State of Queensland (Reef Water Quality Protection Plan) 2007.
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