Periurban agriculture in the five mainland States produces in the vicinity of 25% of Australia’s total gross value of agricultural production.

This is according to a research paper published by Geographical Research (June 2005) titled Re-valuing the Fringe: Some findings on the Value of Agriculture in Australia’s Peri-Urban Regions by Peter Houston of Primary Industries and Resources, South Australia.

This is in line with the estimate made by the USDA that agriculture associated with metropolitan areas in the US accounts for 30% of the nation’s total agricultural production, and the estimate made by industry and NSW Department of Primary Industries officers that the farm gate value of agriculture in the Sydney Statistical Region is $1 billion (12% of the State’s total production grown on less than one per cent of the State’s agricultural land).

“Urban agriculture is very complex and has many forms, each with its own strategic and spatial planning requirements,” says NSW DPI’s David Mason.

At one end of the spectrum is hi-tech controlled environment agriculture which is essentially profits and jobs oriented.

At the other end are community and back yard gardens which provide community cohesion and human health benefits.

Contact David Mason, (02) 4588 2144

This story appears Agriculture Today.