Banana Growers Dig into Soil Health

Over twenty-five banana growers gathered in South Johnstone recently to learn more about one of their most important assets – soil.

The Australian Banana Growers’ Council workshop gave growers a taster into the five principles of soil health, the qualities and benefits of healthy soils and steps to success.

Wet Tropics Major Integrated Project (WTMIP) Tully Basin Coordinator, Fiona George, presented at the workshop and works closely with growers to help improve their soil health.

“Getting the fundamentals right in farming is crucial for optimal productivity.”

“Managing factors that limit fertility and plant production requires not just the use of fertilisers and soil amendments, but more importantly the use of good management practices in the right sequence.”

“A significant benefit of improved soil health is more efficient nutrient use and increased pest and disease suppression which can also lead to reducing fertiliser and other chemicals running into waterways – this is something that the WTMIP is working closely with growers and industry to help improve,” Ms George said.

Australian Banana Growers’ Council Best Management Practice Manager, Amelia Foster, said it has been some time since the organisation has run a soil health workshop for growers in the area.

“We’re happy to run more soil health related workshops for banana growers as it’s a topic of interest for most growers.”

“Terrain is running a six-day program of soil health training, called Digging Deeper between November 2020 and April 2021. Banana growers with an interest in soil health on their own farm are strongly encouraged to consider applying to be a part of this course,” Mrs Foster said.