Efforts by North Queensland banana growers to reduce their environmental footprint will be given a significant boost with the launch of a new mobile phone app this week (Sept 2).Developed by the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC) and funded by the Queensland Department of Environment and Heritage Protection (EHP), the “BetterBunch” app will assist growers to continue to manage environmentally-sustainable farming practices.
The mobile technology will allow growers to easily record and retrieve information, including fertiliser and chemical applications, irrigation scheduling and harvest details.
ABGC Chairman Doug Phillips said the app had been designed to complement the banana industry’s Best Management Practice (BMP) Guidelines which had been developed by growers to safeguard both their farms and the Great Barrier Reef.
“Through the BMP, growers actively monitor farm practices which not only ensures they continue to be environmentally sustainable, but provides greater protection to crops and improves productivity,” Mr
Phillips said.
“The new app will make the daily recording of information quicker and easier for growers who can input data from the palm of their hand, and assess the information once they return to their office,” he said.
Mr Phillips said growers had taken a pioneering role in establishing BMP Guidelines and were continuously looking at ways to improve their on-farm practices.
The BMP includes a self-assessment checklist and covers fertiliser and pesticide use, integrated pest and disease management, fertiliser and soil additives, water quality and biodiversity.
Minister for Environment and Heritage Protection and Minister for National Parks and the Great Barrier Reef, Dr Steven Miles said the Queensland Government strongly supports the BetterBunch app.
“The app will provide dual benefits - boosting grower productivity while supporting the Queensland Government’s environmental targets,” Dr Miles said.
“This is the kind of balance we look to strike with projects we fund and I hope this easy to use app will enable more banana growers to get involved in the BMP.
“The banana industry is well recognised for its innovative approach and ABGC should be congratulated on another successful initiative.”
The “BetterBunch” app will allow growers to easily record data relating to the BMP, including application and calibration schedules for fertilisers and chemicals, weather conditions, irrigation scheduling and planting records.
The web interface is available free to growers who have completed the on-line version of the BMP.
“BetterBunch” will be officially launched at the South Johnstone DAF Research Station on September 2, at 9am.
The app’s developer, Dan Hickey from Morgan Rural Tech, will be on hand to demonstrate the application.
Representatives from the ABGC and EHP will be available for interviews at the launch.
For more information:
NQ Communications Officer
Sonia Campbell
Mob: 0428 038330