soil-conservation-people-religion-and-land.pdf - South West NRM

12. The funding of research into degradation awareness and
education is totally inadequate and compares very
unfavourably with commodity research funding in animal
and crop product ion.
13. Being an unsaleable commodity, soil and its maintenance
has been neglected by agricultural research funding
bodies, despite the dependence of all commodity
organizations on this basic resource.
14. There is a clear responsibility on rural organizations to
support research and education which aim to maintain the
productivity and thus viability of soil-based
commodities.
Analysis of the erosion situation in Australia indicates
that many rural commodities are presently being produced
at the expense of soil capital - 13 tonnes of soil for
every tonne of grain in some districts.
16. There is an urgent need for rural organizations,
commodity boards and government agencies to recognize and
act on the need for direct funding of research into the
most appropriate methods of .increasing awareness of
degradation and its significance.
17. The present minimal responsibility shown by researchfunding
organizations toward landcare has led to
voluntary groups of concerned citizens giving the
initiative in community education and attitudinal change
(Roberts, 1983).
John Kerin, Federal Minister for Primary Industries and
Energy, has spoken forcefully on these matters in recent
years. = His comments reflect growing concern at the highest
levex abeut our lack of progress in soil conservation, and
they warrant -- quoting here:
"It is a constant source of frustration to me that while this
country is facing a massive land degradation problem, I am
constantly receiving requests from people, and this includes
politicians, who are seeking funds either to prop up
inappropriate systems of land use or develop more of the same.
Despite the obvious lessons of the past, I can assure you the
political pressure to flood the inland, irrigate saline soils,
drain swamps and release marginal land for cropping is as
strong as ever.
Many authorities believe that it is the Commonwealth's
function to provide leadership and the support for a national
soil consenration program. The Federal Government cannot
simply pass off the management of this resource as a State