Projects encourage economic and ecologically sustainable farming practices to plan and deal with the risks associated with low commodity prices and access and use of water. Grazing and cropping provide the basis for the regional economy, with significant contributions from mining and tourism. RPP funding supports rural adjustment and natural resource management activities. Wagga Wagga, Leeton and Hay. The region is primarily irrigation land with main crops of rice, citrus and wine grapes.
Fat lambs are also an important regional product.
Non irrigated production includes grains, mostly wheat and grazing. To date the RPP has been given funds to develop a regional business plan. This RPP will be launched early in 2001. Centred in the Far North Queensland region around Mareeba, Atherton, Malanda and Herberton, the Atherton Tablelands RPP focuses on improved agricultural technology, new and expanding market opportunities and value adding. Traditional industries include dairy farming and tobacco growing, while newer, predominantly horticultural industries are mangoes, avocados, logans and lychees and are being promoted to replace tobacco production.