Alternate crops: why sugarcane first?

In the Tully Valley, cane and bananas have long dominated the tropical landscape. With established infrastructure and local knowledge, it’s perhaps not surprising then, that the first request to use land affected by Panama TR4 for something other than bananas focussed on cane.   

Up until recently, those with farming with Panama TR4 were only able to grow bananas under very strict conditions. But 10 years since the first detection, and with broad industry support, the Australian Banana Growers’ Council recognised the need for land to remain productive without putting other growers at risk.   

Following the initial request, the ABGC worked closely with Biosecurity Queensland (BQ) to conduct thorough assessments to evaluate the risk of farming cane on Panama-TR4 affected land. 

These assessments involved expert consultation and property-specific risk analysis. The results showed that, in this instance, farming sugarcane did not increase the risk of disease spread beyond existing background threats like soil movement, water flow and feral animals. If risks were identified, tailored mitigation measures were developed to protect the broader banana industry.   

Applications to use land with Panama TR4 for something other than bananas will continue to be assessed on a case-by-case basis. This ensures approvals and any mitigations are tailored to the specific conditions of each property. The same process will apply whether the request is to grow cane, or something entirely different.   

Ultimately, it means that affected growers are able to make profitable use of their land without putting other farms at risk. It should also serve as a reminder that while Panama TR4 can be devastating, it is not the end.   

More info? Reach out to growersupport@abgc.org.au