WA Food Security Project

At a global level, there is a growing recognition that “our prevailing food system is not sustainable” (Lancet 2019). UNESCO defines Sustainable Development as “development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.”

For decades, Western Australian farmers have been facing changing conditions; hotter/dryer summers, increased salinity, soil that is becoming increasingly dependent on chemical inputs, with reduced capacity to hold moisture… the list goes on and on.

However, despite these challenges and increased financial pressures for farmers, food production has been sufficient for our relatively small population so far.

With increased volatility in growing conditions, and some models predicting that our local population will almost double by 2050, it is becoming increasingly evident that we need to start thinking strategically about how we can make our food systems more resilient.

The publication of the Situation Report provided an analysis of the threats to our state’s food production capacity.

Western Australia’s net agriculture position

Within Western Australia, the performance of our agricultural land is driven by three primary factors (DAFWA, 2013):

1. Climate,
2. land characteristics; and
3. land management.

An analysis of climate data over recent decades has demonstrated five key trends that are relevant to the sustainable and profitable management of our agricultural land:

1. mean temperatures are rising
2. annual rainfall is declining
3. autumn and winter rainfall totals are declining
4. spring and summer rainfall totals are increasing
5. year-to-year climate variability may be more important than the longer-term trends.

The inherent nature of the land, especially soil type and landform, is a key factor in determining the present land condition and trends. Most soils and landscapes are vulnerable to some form of land degradation, and many are already in a state unsuitable for agriculture. Under current cropping regimes, soils with low pH buffering capacity are becoming more acidic. Others are more prone to wind erosion and compaction, while others have become too salty through rising water tables.

Decisions on land management are largely within the power and responsibility of the land managers. However, land managers must have the required knowledge and support to make the best land use and land management decisions.

Food consumption trends have changed

On the consumption side, our diets are changing. With increasing personal disposable income, consumers are eating more meat, dairy products, fats and oils, and more highly processed convenience food.

This food is generally energy dense, high in saturated fats, sugar and salt, but very low in dietary fibre, nutrients and minerals (Lancet 2019). Hence, while most consumers have broader access to a greater variety of food, too many consumers are making food choices that are not consistent with good nutrition, health and wellbeing.

Furthermore, with the increasing concentration and aggregation of the food industry, our food chains are becoming longer. As the global trade in food products increases, while consumers may have access to a greater quantity and diversity of food, consumers are also exposed to greater risk of a food safety
breakdown and a reduction in the resilience of our food system to price shocks, breakdowns in transportation and climate variability.

Planning was undertaken in collaboration with community, government and industry to map out a strategic pathway forward, within the framework of:

Sustainable farming systems: Identifying a strategic approach and actions to alleviate the on-farm constraints that are impacting on our farmers capacity to feed a growing population. To include identifying leading sustainability systems and technologies that are appropriate for the West Australian farming landscape and are in concert with the wider community’s evolving social and ethical expectations.

Market: Identifying strategic actions that minimise pre-market loss and post market waste, support pull-thru mechanisms that support farmers to adopt leading sustainability practices (sustainable purchasing) and improve access to healthy nutritious food.

Policy & Investment: Initiating and supporting the development of a cohesive overarching multi-agency policy that informs strategic long-term investment into the sustainability of our food systems.

The desired outcome of this process was to identify food systems that improve the environmental, economic, cultural, social and health outcomes for our farmland and communities.

The purpose of publishing the summary was for stakeholders in the WA food supply chain, who had not had the opportunity to provide comment on constraints they were facing, to make comment.

The information was prepared and presented in the form of a webinar by Project Manager Graham McAlpine and lead Researcher Dr Peter Batt.

The webinar is presented in chapter format so those interested can view the segments relevant to them.

Perth NRM is pleased to announce that the information from the Situation Report (stage one) and assessment findings (stage two) are now published and available in the WA Food Security Report.

This report provides detail on food security, WA agriculture and sustainability, the methods and results from stakeholder engagement, and recommendations for Government and Industry.

This report is to be used to facilitate on-going collaboration to help guide and prioritise the policy and investment decisions that move West Australian communities towards sustainable food systems.