page_title: Irrigation in Australia
section_title: Production
hierarchical_section_title: Irrigation in Australia / Production
caption_attribution_description: Impact (Knocker) Irrigation at Millwood - close up
context_page_description: Irrigation is a widespread practice required in many areas of Australia, the driest inhabited continent, to supplement low rainfall with water from other sources to assist in growing crops and pasture. Overuse or poor management of irrigation is held responsible by some for environmental problems such as soil salinity and loss of habitat for native flora and fauna.
  Irrigation differs from dryland farming in Australia in its level of intensity and production. Common crops produced using irrigation include rice, cotton, canola, sugar, various fruits and other tree crops and pasture, hay and grain for use in beef and dairy production. Surface irrigation is the most common irrigation method in Australia, with drip and center pivot also utilised. All rights to use and control water are vested in the state, which issues conditional entitlements for water use.
  The first large-scale irrigation schemes in Australia were introduced during the 1880s, partially in response to drought. In 1915 the River Murray Waters Agreement was signed, setting out basic conditions for the river's water use which remain in force today.
context_section_description: Water consumption by the agriculture industry was 12,780 gigalitres (2,810×10⁹ imp gal; 3,380×10⁹ US gal) in 2012-13, accounting for 65% of total water consumption in Australia during that period. Irrigation/rural water providers were the main suppliers of distributed water in 2004-05 accounting for 6,637 gigalitres (1,460×10⁹ imp gal; 1,753×10⁹ US gal) or 59% of Australia's total distributed water supply. Since 2005 climatic conditions and reduced allocations have caused the total water consumed to decline by 30% from the 2004-2005 figure down to 8,521 gigalitres (1,874×10⁹ imp gal; 2,251×10⁹ US gal) in 2006-2007 and further to 7,286 gigalitres (1,603×10⁹ imp gal; 1,925×10⁹ US gal) in 2008-2009. The total gross value of irrigated agricultural production in 2012-13 was A$13,431 million up from A$9,076 million in 2004-05 and A$9,618 million in 2000-01. The gross value of irrigated agricultural production represents around a quarter (23%) of the gross value of agricultural commodities produced in Australia in 2004-05, on less than 1% of agricultural land.
  Common crops produced using irrigation include rice, cotton, canola, sugar, various fruits and other tree crops and pasture, hay and grain for use in beef and dairy production.
caption: Close up of an Impact (Knocker) Sprinkler in use on a fodder crop
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