BCG tackling the "high hanging fruit issues"
- By: "Farm Tender" News
- Intensive Farming News
- May 23, 2018
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The complex problems faced by agriculture and rural communities will be tackled in a three-day event at BCG in June this year.
Harnessing technology opportunities, declining rural social capital, maintaining rural ecosystems and improving community and farmer health are just some of the ‘wicked problems’ to be addressed at the BCG Community Network Charrette.
“We expect the event to be very intense but also very rewarding as we explore the ‘high hanging fruit issues’ that rural communities face,” said BCG Chair, Caroline Welsh.
Approximately twenty-five researchers and experts from around Australia and local representatives will lend their experiences and resources to the integrative event for real outcomes.
The event has been made possible with the generous support of the William Buckland Foundation and is the brainchild of the BCG Board and CEO who saw the need for research and solutions that are wider ranging than individual projects can provide.
BCG CEO Chris Sounness said precision agriculture has the potential to provide huge gains in agricultural production by harnessing ‘big data’.
“However, communities may lack the capability to implement the solutions or the trust to move them forward especially when many rural communities possess inadequate internet and phone connection” he added.
Another major challenge faced by rural communities is population decline. Farmers seek economies of scale to counter seasonal variability and fluctuating commodity prices. This leads to reduced labour units which leads to decline in rural populations, liveability and prosperity.
Both Ms Welsh and Mr Sounness are looking forward to the input of locals, some of whom have returned to the region to start businesses and raise families. These people have the potential to influence what the future of the Mallee and Wimmera might look like.
This event is the beginning of a three-year project and the exploration of these solutions will be supported by subsequent events and meetings. It is hoped the project will be a pilot for other rural communities to utilise.
For more information contact Louisa Ferrier at the BCG office on 03 5492 2787.
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