General News
9 June, 2026
Banana farmer fixes erosion
EAST Palmerston banana grower Kayla Zecchinati has fixed erosion issues on her family property, courtesy of the Australian Banana Growers’ Council (ABGC)’s Banana Best Management Practice (BMP) Project.
Ms Zecchinati said the project, using grants from the Banana Best Practice Fund, helped with a block contouring project on her property.
She said it addressed long-standing erosion issues caused by the paddock’s original layout and limited drainage.
“Before the project, we were experiencing significant topsoil loss due to the way the block was laid out and the lack of effective drainage,” Ms Zecchinati said.
“Funding through the Banana BMP project enabled us to redesign the paddock to follow the natural contours of the land, add a new road and relocate the irrigation system.
“We’re now able to get into this block during the wet, which is a huge improvement.
“It’s performing much better than our other blocks and has given us the confidence to roll this approach out across the rest of the farm.”
The final round of the fund has officially closed, with high demand and strong grower participation underscoring the industry’s commitment to protecting the Reef and improving on-farm sustainability.
Delivered by the council, the fund, backed by the Queensland Government’s Queensland Reef Water Quality Program, has helped 66 banana growers implement best-practice projects across more than 3600 hectares since 2023.
Through six rounds of funding, the program has supported 83 separate initiatives to make on-farm improvements aimed at reducing nutrient, pesticide and sediment runoff from banana farms in Great Barrier Reef catchments.
The final round six received 25 applications, with 23 new projects successfully funded to start this year.
Funded projects as of round six have included:
46 upgraded spreaders and fertigation systems – complying with Reef regulations and reducing leaching
24 site-specific solutions to reduce erosion – including contour planting, block levelling and improved roads and drains
21 side-throw slashers – adding organic matter to banana beds and reducing erosion and P loss
Two machinery upgrades for permanent beds – reducing cultivation
Three nutrient management and soil health trials – large scale composting and GPS rate control
Together, these works will prevent an estimated 611 tonnes of fine sediment and 2.8 tonnes of dissolved inorganic nitrogen from leaving Great Barrier Reef catchments each year.
Industry strategy manager of ABGC Michelle McKinlay said the program’s success was proof of growers’ long-term commitment to environmental stewardship and productivity.
“Through six rounds of the Banana Best Practice Fund, 66 growers have taken part, delivering on-farm improvements across more than 3600 hectares, around one-third of Australia’s banana industry. The strong response to this final round shows that growers are serious about making lasting changes that benefit both their farms and the Reef,” said Michelle.
“Through co-investment, growers have led the way in adopting better technologies, improving soil and water management and demonstrating the banana industry’s ongoing leadership in sustainability.
“Since 2023, a total of $2.92 million has been invested, with $1.32m provided through the fund and $1.6m co-invested by growers, plus $18,000 in in-kind support.”
Read More: Palmerston