RICE IN AUSTRALIA.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20424, 28 November 1929, Page 9

RICE IN AUSTRALIA.

SUCCESSFUL CULTIVATION. SURPLUS FOR EXPORT. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. 1 SYDNEY, Nov. 21. Remarkable success lias attended the efforts to grow rice in Australia. The average consumption of rice within the Commonwealth over the last five years has been 17,000 tons annually, and lons bofore the people had realised tho extent of the industry—it would bo safe to say that thousands did not know of its existence—it was announced the other day that the Australian crop was equal to the demand. More than that, there was surplus for export. It is stated that over-production should not present any undue difficulties, as there is a ready market for rice in the East as well as in England and Germany. So Australia has another means of adding to its wealth if it is ready to seize the opportunity thus presented. The probability of being able to supply New Zealand with all its rice requirements lias been discussed, and it is considered that there should lie no difficulties on that score. There are still scores of people who regret the lack of trade reciprocation between New Zealand and the Commonwealth, and the new Labour Government is being widely urged to explore more fully tile possibilities in that direction.

In Australia the cultivation of rice has been carried on tentatively for some years. A Japanese on the banks of tho Murray River has been growing rico for a long time, but not on a commercial scale. Howover, he was able to prove conclusively (hat rice could be grown in (his country, and now the success attending tli • ricegrowers in Iho Murrumbidgee irrigation area has amply proved that rico can be grown profitably in the Commonwealth. Rico cultivation 011 an experimental scalewas carried 011 at Yanco for some years. There it was found that, the large, area of heavy clay-bottom would make, an excellent paddy field, and in 1924-25 an attempt was made to grow rice for commercial purposes. In that yoar 153 acres were cropped for a yield of 16,249 bushels. Consignments of the "paddy" rice were sent to Sydney and Melbourne for the. treatment which is necessary before it can bo marketed, and the results showed that the quality was much superior to that of the imported article. In the following year 1556 acres yielded 61.000 bushels of rice. This was an average of more than 39 bushels to tho acre—a heavy crop. Jn 1926-27 the area under cultivation was increased to nearly 4000 acres, from which 217,740 bushels wore reaped, for an average of morn than 54 bushels to the acre. The final figures for the year 1920-29 arc not, vet available, but it is estimated that, 12,000 acres of rico were, harvested for 960,000 bushels of rice. The value, of this year's crop will bo about £200,000. Tho domand in Australia is for greater production. The rice-growers seem to bo showing the way.