Thursday, 21 April 2016 07:55

The case for irrigation — Editorial

Written by 
These anti-irrigation groups share a false belief that irrigation schemes only benefit farmers and provide no economic or environmental benefits to the wider community. These anti-irrigation groups share a false belief that irrigation schemes only benefit farmers and provide no economic or environmental benefits to the wider community.

It has begun a communications offensive, first by inviting journalists – many from outside the rural media – to attend its annual conference in Oamaru earlier this month.

Many presentations during the two days suggested ways to communicate the benefits of irrigation schemes to farmers, communities and the general public.

The biggest criticism the irrigators face is the environmental objection to intensified farming and the consequent increase in nutrients flowing back to waterways. Then there's the criticism that allowing this farm intensification is destroying natural landscapes.

Just last week, the Green Party called on ACC not to invest public money in the proposed Ruataniwha Dam, which it claimed "could be a disaster for the Hawkes' Bay environment". The Greens water spokesperson goes on to sneeringly add, "Private irrigation schemes should be privately funded, not out of New Zealanders' pockets."

These anti-irrigation groups share a false belief that irrigation schemes only benefit farmers and provide no economic or environmental benefits to the wider community. This proposition is demonstrably false and it is good to see the irrigation sector go on the front foot to refute it.

Irrigation provides an economic boost, particularly to regions traditionally hit often by long droughts. It was no coincidence that the irrigators' conference was held in the North Otago region. The area was once a notorious drought zone. But the establishment of the North Otago Irrigation Company (NOIC) to take water from the Waitaki River has saved the district and brought many economic, environmental and recreational benefits to the region.

A study released by NOIC at the conference shows that the irrigation has added $45 million to the district's GDP and led to the creation of 274 full time-equivalent jobs. And that sort of economic gain is why both the Government and the irrigators support irrigation.

But as Irrigation NZ chair Nicky Hyslop says, irrigators need to keep telling their story if they are to gain and maintain public support.

And without that public support, they will not persuade an already-gunshy Government to move on with legislation.

More like this

Editorial: Getting RMA settings right

OPINION: The Government has been seeking industry feedback on its proposed amendments to a range of Resource Management Act (RMA) national direction instruments.

Editorial: Agri's mojo is back

OPINION: Good times are coming back for the primary industries. From sentiment expressed at Fieldays to the latest rural confidence survey results, all indicate farmer confidence at a near-record high.

Featured

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards, providing the opportunity to honour both rising talent and industry stalwarts.

B+LNZ launches AI assistant for farmers

Beef + Lamb New Zealand has launched an AI-powered digital assistant to help farmers using the B+LNZ Knowledge Hub to create tailored answers and resources for their farming businesses.

National

Machinery & Products

Tech might take time

Agritech Unleashed – a one-day event held recently at Mystery Creek, near Hamilton – focused on technology as an ‘enabler’…

John Deere acquires GUSS Automation

John Deere has announced the full acquisition of GUSS Automation, LLC, a globally recognised leader in supervised high-value crop autonomy,…

Fencing excellence celebrated

The Fencing Contractors Association of New Zealand (FCANZ) celebrated the best of the best at the 2025 Fencing Industry Awards,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

A step too far

OPINION: For years, the ironically named Dr Mike Joy has used his position at Victoria University to wage an activist-style…

Save us from SAFE

OPINION: A mate of yours truly has had an absolute gutsful of the activist group SAFE.

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter