UWA Future Farm 2050
Grassland type Cultivated, Semi-natural
Name of practice UWA Future Farm 2050
Name of main actor University of Western Australia
Type of actor(s) Farmers
Location Australia
Agro-ecological region Arid/semi-arid
Sustainability dimension involved Environmental, Economic, Social
Sustainability sub-themes Holistic Management, Biodiversity
Year of implementation 2009
Description of best practice Vision: Imagine the best-practice farm for 2050, but do it now, and show that it is profitable. Why 2050? That's when we will have to feed 50% more people without destroying the planet, arguably the biggest issue facing humanity. Rather than wait for problems to arise, the UWA Future Farm Project aims to define and implement the 'ideal' farm: it must be profitable through the production of food and fibre; it must practice ‘clean, green and ethical’ management of livestock; it must demonstrate the commitment to conservation of biodiversity; it must take into account the needs of the people on the farm and in the local community. As a project based in an international university, UWA Future Farm will also make positive contributions to state, national and international spheres of agricultural research and development. This means confronting major issues such as climate change, food security, food safety, and sustainability. Finally, in the local environment, UWA Future Farm also aims to strengthen links between food producers and food consumers (primarily city inhabitants), and between the university and the community and industries that it serves. This means engagement with producers, local authorities and, most important, schools in the city and the country.
Outcomes and impacts The UWA Future Farm 2050 project will operate best practice and explore new options in farming systems that are realistic and relevant to its geographical and socio-economic environment. In doing so, it will also strive to make a normal profit so that other farmers will want to follow the example. It will demonstrate the value of mixed enterprises in food production (grains and livestock), whilst making a commitment to biodiversity conservation, and a solid contribution to the local rural community.
Contacts Graeme B Martin, UWA Institute of Agriculture M082, University of Western Australia, Crawley 6009, Australia
[email protected]
