Dear Editor,
I noted with interest the recent publicity given to scientists who are exploring taking crops out of the field and growing them in warehouses – they call them ‘plant factories’ – so humankind is capable of feeding 10 billion people by 2050.
Food security and our ability to feed the growing population is no doubt going to be a significant challenge in coming decades.
I have an idea, which may help make a valuable contribution and allow regions in southern NSW and northern Victoria to play a prominent role. At the same time it has the potential to bring significant economic prosperity not only to these regions, but the entire nation of Australia.
Here’s how it works:
First, I suggest we build some dams in the upper reaches of the Murray system to store our water. I have even come up with some names – let’s call them Hume and Dartmouth.
We could also build storage systems in the Snowy Mountains, which would not only provide a valuable means of drought-proofing large parts of our region, but perhaps also help in supplying electricity through a hydro scheme.
I understand that a vast network of canals would be needed to channel this water to farming properties so they could grow our grain and stock, but surely this is not insurmountable. And when it is done we may have the best gravity feed system in the world. Imagine that!
At the same time the water could provide environmental benefits on the farms, giving them a dual purpose of providing a valuable habitat, while also growing the food we need for an increasing population.
I understand there will be non-believers who may try to impede my grand plan, but when I thought about it I realised that although we do not always have a lot of confidence in our politicians, they will see how much sense it makes.
And I am sure we will get support from the scientific community and the greenies, because they know only too well that at some point we must work out how we are going to feed not only our domestic population, but the billions who will be starving around the world.
My scheme can be a win:win:win – for humankind, the environment and our regional communities. Maybe I’m dreaming, but you never know!
Yours faithfully
Shelley Scoullar
Deniliquin
