National AUSVEG 2010 Finalist Releases Horticulture Report To Help Save A Dying Industry

PRLog (Press Release) - May 18, 2010 - The use of aquaponic integrated production through the marriage of the Aquaculture and Horticulture industry allows greater productivity and resource management than any other type of production in the present farming community. Global researchers have shown that the benefits of this type of farming would far outweigh the capital cost of commercialisation by way of its strengths and opportunities.

Andrew Dezsery, Integrated Farming Researcher said " With the alarming predictions for our future food security and the accepted diminishing availability of suitable natural resources in Australia, it would seem that the integrated farming approach stands well on its own merits requiring integration into the Australian primary production sector to facilitate its wider adoption. If this is achieved, there is a high likelihood that integrated farming will with other emerging industries, propel Australia into a new and exciting era of increasingly efficient and diverse food production offering quality functional foods and bio-security.

Andrew is a  multiple category finalist in this years AUSVEG National Awards for Excellence to be held at Conrad Jupiters Hotel-Casino, Gold Coast, Australia, 27 - 30 May 2010.

AUSVEG is the national peak industry body representing the interests of around 9,000 vegetable and potato growers around Australia.

"Agricultural deterioration is occurring within almost every developing country and as such" Andrew concluded, "it is highly recommended that the Australian Government diversify its ability to be increasingly pro-active in assisting to develop sound strategies to offset the inevitable loss of some conventional agriculture with more efficient and integrated production systems."

The Australian Horticultural Corporation Future Focus report predicts imported vegetables will rise by 463,000 tonnes up to 680,780 tonnes in Australia by 2020. Food imports alone from 2002-2007 were already at AU$7.2billion.

Through the ISS Institute, Andrew received a Fellowship sponsored by the Australian Government’s Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (DEEWR), and was able to visit both technical and research farms abroad in the United States of America and Canada to gather information and assess the productivity of integrated farming systems currently in operation in these countries.

A copy of the official report titled "COMMERCIAL INTEGRATED FARMING OF AQUACULTURE AND HORTICULTURE" can be obtained by email by contacting Andrew at manager@aquaculture-advantage.com or phoning 0412477036 during business hours.

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Private research farm based at Lewiston in South Australia with over 48 years of combined commercial aquaculture, aquaponic and horticulture experience. Manufacturers of aquaponic equipment, education and consultancy services to the commercial sector.