AN EFFECTIVE APPROACH TO DELIVERING SUGARCANE IRRIGATION EXTENSION AT BUNDABERG BASED ON REAL TIME WEB-BASED TECHNOLOGY

BUNDABERG HAS A supplementary irrigation water supply capable of supplying approximately one third of the potential annual crop moisture demand and rainfall is often insufficient or inappropriately timed for the seasonal requirements of the sugarcane crop. This situation lead to the development of an extension program designed to improve scheduling techniques to maximise crop utilisation of both water sources. There are several locations across the world where field monitoring of soil moisture is practiced and data are received through web technologies (Kenana Sugar Company, Sudan, Indonesia, Murray Darling Irrigation Area, Australia) but discussions with these groups indicate that data are generally delivered to the primary user for the specific use of the company, agronomy department or the specific farming operation. A modern interpretation of the role of agricultural extension is one that enables change in individuals, communities and industries involved in the primary industry sector and in natural resource management. The concept of identifying champions with the intention that other farmers will be encouraged to adopt similar goals and practices is a long-standing extension method. However, when dealing with issues of irrigation, promoting outcomes after the event does not alert the target group to the need for timely change and therefore is unlikely to successfully achieve the desired outcome. A Bundaberg web-based extension program designed to draw all farmers in the district into a technology group of likeminded users was developed. Monitoring systems located on the farms of high performing enterprises provide a constant flow of real time information which enables the industry as a whole to react to climatic influences. The potential outcomes of this program are a sustainable increase in productivity, a reduction in irrigation input costs and a greater understanding of factors that impact on the local environment.