The Queensland government and peak industry body Growcom have launched its Best Management Practices (BMP) programme, called Hort360.
Hort360 has been described by Growcom as a “step-by-step, facilitated risk assessment tool designed to give growers a 360 degree view of their farm business operations, identifying potential risks, capitalising on business opportunities and highlighting unnecessary farm expenses”.
The first module of Hort360 was released on 25 August, focusing on protection from land erosion and fertiliser run-off.
“The unique thing about Hort360 however is that it doesn’t just focus on environmental outcomes but looks at the whole farm, covering issues such as industrial relations and workplace health and safety,” Growcom’s Rachel McKenzie said in a statement. “Fundamentally Hort360 is a tool for growers to maximise their productivity but it also has the capacity to deliver on community and catchment outcomes.”
The Queensland government has provided A$1.5m in funding towards the programme.
Modules to be released under the Hort360 program over coming months will include: irrigation, energy, workplace safety, industrial relations and water quality.
