E.T.S Instant Expert Penny Wong says Farmers must do more with less

• From: AAP

FARMERS and irrigators across the Murray-Darling Basin must learn to do more with less water, growing "more crop per drop", federal Water Minister Penny Wong says.

The Minister says the necessity for improved water efficiency is already driving innovation across the agricultural sector. And she is confident communities across the basin will meet the challenge posed by the worst drought conditions ever.

But she has also warned that allocations under the basin plan, being developed by the Murray-Darling Basin Authority and due to come into effect from 2011, will be considerably lower.

"It's inevitable that the basin plan will entail a significant adjustment for irrigation communities," the Minister told the Murray Darling Association's annual conference in Adelaide today.

"The most significant element of the basin plan will be a new, scientifically-based and sustainable limit on the amount of water that can be diverted from river and from groundwater.

"All signs are pointing to this new limit being lower than the current limit, perhaps significantly lower."

Senator Wong said the best way for farmers and irrigators to secure a strong and viable future was to start making adjustments now. She also defended the Government's investment in buying back water entitlements as the best way of returning the basin to health and ensuring a smooth transition to lower allocations.

"It is in everyone's interests to start adjusting to this change now, because if we don't, we face a far tougher and more abrupt cut in the future," she said.

"Without question the Government's purchase program is providing irrigators with more options in managing their way through these tough times."

But federal Opposition water spokesman Greg Hunt said the Government had failed to invest in any new water-saving infrastructure projects that could improve the health of the Murray-Darling.

"Senator Wong is watching the demise of the Murray from her view sitting on top of a large pile of cash that should have been swung into action by now," Mr Hunt said in a statement.