Cutting Edge Technology
WATER USE EFFICIENCY
Water is an important resource for almond production. The Australian almond industry is a leader in the efficient use of water, with a strong focus on investing in irrigation design, management, scheduling technology and maintenance to optimise the value of this limited resource and minimise negative environmental impacts. The almond industry is committed to continually improving water use efficiency in a way that protects both the environment, local communities and the future of the almond industry.
In Australia, most almond production occurs within the Murray-Darling Basin where environmental regulations on water use are present. The Almond Board of Australia continues to implement our Water Policy which aims“ to ensure the Murray Darling Basin River system and its environs are healthy and can sustainably support a prosperous, diverse irrigated agricultural sector and its communities”.
Sustainable and profitable almond production relies on pressurised irrigation systems designed to match soil suitability and meet crop demands. The almond industry continues to invest in sophisticated irrigation systems and scheduling technology, with at least 90 % of orchards using drip irrigation.
By implementing sustainable and best management irrigation practices, growers can optimise the return on water use and minimise the impact on the environment and local communities. The ABA supports industry by providing workshops and training. The Almond360 Irrigation module aligns sustainability and Best Management Practices, allowing growers to assess their irrigation practices and make positive changes on farm.
95 % of industry is drip irrigation
Every year Australia uses around 2,600 gigalitres of water to grow food that is wasted( Food Innovation Australia, 2021). As a non-perishable product with a shelf life or two years or more, almonds have a significantly reduced risk of spoilage and food waste.
The ABA promotes a closed-loop system where every part of the almond, hull, shell, and kernel, is put to use. In the Australian almond industry, hulls and shells are repurposed as stockfeed, bioenergy for co-generation, and organic fertiliser. This sustainable approach ensures almond growers get the most out of every drop.
PLANTING BY IRRIGATION SYSTEM
SPRINKLER 4 %
UNKNOWN 1 %
DRIP 95 %
The Almond Skills Irrigation Workshops
Planting By Irrigation
The Almond Skills irrigation workshops series( 2022-25) have provided a practical and regionally targeted extension platform for improving irrigation management across the Australian almond industry. Delivered across key growing regions including the Riverland, Riverina and Sunraysia, the workshops have reached over 250 + growers through a mix of theory, hands on field activities, grower discussion and expert support. Topics have included soil water principles, soil pits, drip system performance, system monitoring, maintenance, scheduling, drainage, sensor data and irrigation technology. The impact has been strongest where participants could directly relate workshop content to their own orchard systems, including reviewing irrigation designs, interpreting soil moisture monitoring data and identifying practical steps to improve system performance. Over time, the program has helped shift irrigation extension from general advice toward applied troubleshooting, better system assessment and more confident decision making around water use, maintenance and drainage management. Its reach has also extended beyond the workshops through ABA irrigation resources, recorded webinars and tools such as the Drip Irrigation Evaluation Tool.
Other 0.1 % Drip 86 % Unknown 10 % S
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