LESS productive Gippsland farms could help soak up some of Victoria's predicted one million-plus population growth in the next decade, according to a regional agribusiness leader.
Agribusiness Gippsland, the group of regional food and agricultural leaders, is also seeking a Victorian Government study into extending irrigation systems in Gippsland.This includes extending the Macalister Irrigation District, extending the Eastern Irrigation plan in the Cardinia and Casey shires and a study in the Baw Baw Shire for irrigation opportunities.
However, Agribusiness Gippsland chair Alex Arbuthnot believes losing agricultural land to suburban sprawl means boosting the productivity of the remaining balance of farmland.
He said major irrigation initiatives in east and west Gippsland, rather than bricks and mortar, would boost the productivity of land used to grow food.
"Agribusiness Gippsland believes that food production in Gippsland should double over the next decade,'' Mr Arbuthnot said.
"The dairy industry will return more than $1 billion at the farm gate this year, although horticulture could be a future growth winner and cropping will continue to grow in the eastern areas of Gippsland.''
Agribusiness Gippsland, an umbrella organisation for the regions many agricultural enterprises, will also be looking at the region's timber and timber products industries as well as opportunities for efficient energy use.
The region should also aim to double the current seven million agri-tourism visits in the next 10 years, Mr Arbuthnot said.
