Environment continued
WATER USE EFFICIENCY
Australian almond growers are world leaders in the efficient use of water . Almonds are one of Australia ' s highest valued , efficient and environmentally aware irrigation industries . 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 ".
The ABA has supported this objective by leading the call for a moratorium on State governments in the Murray Val ley issuing new water use licences that threaten the future capacity to deliver water to existing irrigators thereby maintaining a diversity of farm production .
The ABA has also championed the closed circle economy business model that the industry has unwittingly developed over the years . Every drop of water used on an orchard produces edible kernel as well as biomass that is used far stockfeed , a source of co-generation fuel and organic fertiliser . In the past the water use equation was based simply on the kernel weight , not the entire piece of fruit - ie : Kernel , Hull and Shell .
The water use equation has also overlooked the non-perishable nature of the almond . Unlike many other horticultural crops harvested from permanent plantings , almonds have a shelf life of two years or more . For every drop of water used , every part of every piece of fruit harvested is used one way or other .
The zero-waste bottom line further underlines the high value outcome for the water invested . The almond industry has invested heavily in sophisticated irrigation systems with at least 90 % of orchards using drip irrigation . Water application rates are closely controlled through precise timing and irrigation rates to meet tree requirements whilst also minimising environmental impact .
90
% industry drip irrigation
PLANTING BY IRRIGATION
OTHER 0 %
NON PULSE DRIP 24 %
UNKNOWN 6 %
SPRINKLER 4 %
PULSE DRIP 66 % 10