Co-operation needed for irrigation growth

Press, 18 June 1982, Page 8

Co-operation needed for irrigation growth

The time is ripe for a rapid expansion of irrigation on the Canterbury Plains and other areas of New Zealand, according to the chairman of the Dominion agriculture section of Federated Farmers (Mr N. Q. Wright). Water is one of the keys to increasing production from land, particularly for horticulture, Mr Wright told the section’s annual conference in Wellington this week. During the past year, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Bill and environmental organisations had put the increased use of water under question. “One of the great failures of New Zealand in the 1980 s could be the lack of understanding of the need for this resource to be used to the full,” said Mr Wright.

The Clyde Dam was at present under controversy and the aluminium smelter was being questioned. “If we are to maintain our present standard of living it is of the utmost importance that objective thinking prevails. “We have large areas of New Zealand that can be irrigated which are situated near major ports which can transport our products overseas more easily. “It is vital for the future well being of New Zealand that these debates are resolved so that all parties are catered for under a management plan that will allow major irrigation schemes to proceed,” he said. This season’s drought had seriously affected farm pro-

duction in Canterbury and the effects will be felt by the whole community. “It will affect jobs, spending and progress. With many “think big” schemes being reconsidered, it is important to maintain progress on irrigation, particularly in Canterbury where increased production will create more jobs and benefits to the community and New Zealand as a whole. “If we don’t work together we could be arguing about this in the year 2000, such as we have in the past 20 years in this region. “A management plan must be prepared with all organisations working closely together so that their interests can be safeguarded.” Mr Wright suggested a

committee comprising representatives from county councils, government departments, agriculture research stations and universities, and acclimatisation societies be set up to bring out the positive aspects of major schemes. “Above all, the farmers of these regions must be prepared to see that these changes take place. Mr Wright said there are three crucial areas of reform required in the irrigation policy. Distortions in the policy and funding of irrigation should be eliminated and the present suspensory loan for on-farm works within community irrigation schemes should be replaced by a repayable loan. This loan should cover the eligible on-farm costs of both private irrigators and participants in community schemes and should be interest free for the first three years and principal repayments should be deferred for this period. Treasury criteria should be adjusted to eliminate distinctions now made between the assessment of irrigation schemes and other national development schemes, said Mr Wright. This would involve removing the 15 per cent internal rate of return requirement and having irrigation assessed on a universally applied formula. Options should be created for the private sector to become involved in the design, construction and administration of irrigation schemes L said Mr Wright.