Alternative Crops
Frequently Asked Questions: Alternative Crops
Over the past 12 months, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council has been investigating alternative crops—such as sugarcane—that could be safely grown on land affected by Panama disease Tropical Race 4 (TR4) without increasing biosecurity risks to the banana industry. This work has included a comprehensive risk analysis and consultation with a range of technical experts.
The work began in response to grower requests and widespread recognition that it has now been a decade since TR4 was first detected in Tully.
Why are changes being considered to the current TR4 management approach?
The success in containing TR4 over the past decade has created a strong basis to build on. Because growers, industry, and government have worked hard to keep the disease from spreading, we now have an opportunity to explore safe, productive uses for land that was previously limited.
It’s been over 10 years since the first detection of TR4 in Tully. At the moment, where TR4 has been detected, growers can only grow bananas unless they seek permission to do something else. Some growers need more long-term options to remain viable. Exploring the feasibility of growing alternative crops helps build future resilience without compromising biosecurity.
How is risk being carefully managed to allow safe land use?
No farming system is completely risk-free. What we aim for is acceptable, managed risk – based on science, property-specific assessments, and mitigation measures. This will be considered on a case-by-case basis, with final approvals being made by Biosecurity Queensland (BQ).
Why is sugarcane being considered first?
Some growers managing farms with Panama TR4 in Tully have requested ABGC work with them on the possibility of growing cane, a well-established crop in the region. This has provided an opportunity for ABGC and BQ to work through the risk assessment process and look at ways to reduce the chance of disease spread. A final decision will then be made (by BQ) about whether this is feasible, considering science-based risk assessment and broader grower engagement. This provides a useful framework for any other grower (farming with TR4) who wants to consider growing a crop other than bananas.
What pathways of TR4 spread are considered when looking at alternate crops (e.g. with cane)?
We consider all major spread risks, including:
Machinery movement
Soil and water flow
Harvest methods
Road use and hygiene
Farm layout and paddock design
Who carries out the risk assessments?
ABGC’s Grower Support (Biosecurity) team leads the assessments, working with independent experts, BQ, and regional stakeholders.
Who decides what’s a ‘high’ or ‘low’ risk?
Risk levels are determined using structured, evidence-based frameworks that assess the likelihood of entry, establishment and spread, a method used across biosecurity to rate risks as low, moderate or high. Thorough risk assessments have included considering the background risk of animal movement and flooding.
Got questions? Who can I contact?
E: growersupport@abgc.org.au
W: abgcgrowersupport.com.au
P: Elisha Farmer – Grower Support (Biosecurity) Manager, 0477 643 585