A long-time Mildura regional almond grower has disputed claims the industry is taking too much irrigation water.
Darren Minter, who grows asparagus, almonds, citrus and snow peas at his Minter Magic farm, Iraak, said he had diversified into the nut crop, to hedge against downturns, in any one commodity.
“Asparagus can be droughted, it’s commercial, but only just, so almonds and citrus are a bank asset,” Mr Minter said.
“Banks are quite happy to loan good money against almonds and citrus, but asparagus, not so, because asparagus is more specialised.
“Diverse crops mean diverse incomes and risk management of pests and insects.
“If I get a disease in my almonds, I still have two thirds of my property from the other two commodities, so that’s the reason for the diversity.”
Darren, his wife Anne Marie, father Geoff, 73, mother Betty, and son Garry farm 65ha of asparagus, 90ha of citrus and 73ha of almonds.
He has 12 varieties of citrus, averaging 45 tonnes/ha, sold to 30 countries around the world and in Australia.
Five varieties of almonds yielded about one tonne every 0.4ha.
Earlier this year, Riverina farmers raised concerns the price of temporary water had reached $245/ML, due to low inflows and reduced allocations.
Deniliquin water broker James Sides said there were “grave concerns” about individuals or corporate players manipulating the market.
Mr Minter said corporate involvement in the almond industry, by companies such as Olam and Select Harvest, had only improved it, through payment of levies, developing markets and employment.
“We are now six percent of the world’s supply, and it’s mainly driven by the corporates and local farmers” he said.
“I have been growing almonds since 1985 – it’s a ‘horticultural wheat crop’, all machine, little labour, and it suits the corporates right down to the ground.
“They are going to keep coming, keep expanding, which is better for the industry.”
He said modernisation of the irrigation system, in Sunraysia, would allow young farmers to come into the industry.
Last year, water trader Tom Wilks, Wagga Wagga, said told Fairfax Media if current trends continued, rice could become an opportunistic crop in the coming years.
Mr Wilks said when nut trees matured they required more water.
In October last year, it was claimed almond investment had driven groundwater prices up from $550/ML to $1750/ML in the lower Lachlan Valley and increased pressure on the lower Murrumbidgee valley.
Mr Minter said the water usage between rice and almonds was comparable,
“But the dollar value for almonds to rice is substantially different – almonds are a better paying crop.
“To say we are taking more water is no different to what they are doing.”
The biggest difference between almonds and other crops, was that the nuts could only grow in certain climates in Australia, including the Mildura area.
“California is running out of water, the drought now has not been one year, it’s been 20 years.
The artesian bores are getting deeper and deeper, so it leaves great potential for Australia,’ he said.
“We have the right weather, the right climate, but water is the Achilles heel.”
He called for a set price for water, for the whole of the Murray basin.
