AU: Floods wipe out Queensland potato capital's crop
The damage caused to the $3 million potato industry is significant and farmers say it will take five years to restore certified seed potato production.
In the meantime North Queensland and South Australia, will have to change the habit of generations and seek their supply from elsewhere, threatening the future of the industry in the area.
There are fears that, even if the coming years are more kind to the industry, up to half the businesses in the region may already be out of business as a result of the recent floods.
The new South Wales Primary Industry Department has offered financial assistance, but there are fears that it may not be enough.
Crookwell Potato Growers Association president Matthew Gay said yesterday: “We’re looking at a minimum 90 per cent damage to our farms, but realistically it’s 100 per cent.
“I’m too frightened to contact other growers in the area who’ve had time to scope the extent of the destruction.
“Frankly, though, I don’t know how or what they’ll do; there’s just nowhere for them to go from here.”
Senior regional DPI Inspector Paul Anderson said there were currently six certified potato growers in the area, but it was expected at least half of these would not continue.
“This is beyond devastating,” Mr Anderson said.
“The extent of damage to farm lands around Crookwell and Goulburn has led this to be declared a natural disaster zone.
“There is no way the potato crop will survive.
“Even a few days after the rain has stopped, the fields are boggy and disease-ridden. There’s no light at the end of this tunnel.”
Possibly the worst things about the whole affair is the timing - the growers were just days away from harvesting their crops and were looking forward to their first good season after years of drought.
Source: www.goulburnpost.com.au
