This project aims to establish a greater understanding regarding the potential costs and benefits of Overhead Low Pressure (OHLP) irrigation systems and other environmentally efficient managmenet practicessuch as green cane trash blanketing (GCTB), fallow legumes and best practice nutrient management and irrigation scheduling in the Lower Burdekin/Haughton area. 

Improved irrigation management is fundamental in the transition toward improved farming systems in the Burdekin. There is currently little local information demonstrating that irrigation systems other than furrow will deliver the production levels in a time efficient and cost effective manner. This project will gather greater understanding regarding the potential costs and benefits of overheard low pressure (OHLP) irrigation systems and other environmentally efficient management practices, such as green cane trash blanketing (GCTB), fallow legumes and best practice nutrient management and irrigation scheduling in the lower Burdekin area.

MAFIA, or the Mulgrave Area Farm Integrated Action group, is a group of approximately 20 sugarcane growers. They were named winners of the Sugar Research Development Corporation Excellence in Regional Innovation Award for Burdekin in 2007.

The group is committed to working together to address productivity and sustainability issues and were recognised for their approach in being prepared to try something different to achieve results.

The award was designed to reward and recognise the work of industry members in implementing innovation which has benefits to the productivity and sustainability of sugar producing regions.

The group had taken on-board practices such was water quality monitoring, fertiliser form and placement trials and trailing alternative irrigation practices.

The group received an award and $10,000 to help continue their good work.