Can Australia Become a Food Bowl of Asia - Research Proposal Example

SUBJECT: POLITICAL SCIENCE QUESTION: CAN AUSTRALIA BECOME A FOOD BOWL OF ASIA? Student Name: Student P number: Module: Module code: Submission deadline: Introduction Recently, the Australian government announced its objective of making Australia the food bowl of Asia (Australia Government 2010). This notion has become the subject of major debates in the whole country. With over sixty percent of Australian great land mass utilized for agricultural activities and most Asian countries depending on food supply from, it has triggered the government’s initiative of becoming a food bowl of Asia (World Bank 2012). Improved agricultural yield has empowered Australia to becoming one of the largest exporters of foodstuffs in the Asian region. However, fully sustaining food availability to the communities in the whole Asian region has been a bit challenging. This has made the government widen its scope by employing policies that will ensure that Australia becomes a sustainable feeder of the Asian communities by becoming a food bowl of the Asian region thus greatly improvising the country’s economy (Linehan et al. 2012). Australia becoming a food bowl of the Asian region is a chief government objective and if it is well implemented, then the country will be at the peak of achieving a high end in its economy. A food bowl entails a state whereby the Australia becomes a sustainable and readily feeder of every person in Asia. It focuses on being the leading source of food for all the countries in the Asian region. It is physically impossible for Australia to feed all 4,164,252,000 people living in Asia (Australia Government 2010). Agriculture has been the source of food in Australia accounts for 11% of its total exports (Linehan et al. 2012). Availability of unused rich soil and agricultural background forms the basis for emphasizing the upgrading of food production. The aim of this paper is to analyze the initiative that Australia can be a food bowl of Asia is highly feasible particularly under close consideration of the requirements for becoming a food bowl of Asia. I begin by outlining my proposal and focus on its conceptual and theoretical aspects towards making Australia a food bowl of Asia. Then a review of relevant research works is done followed by analysis of the proposal subject. A section containing a policy statement is then covered plus an objective and justification of the proposal subject. Finally, I draw a conclusion on the proposal subject. Literature There has been mounting curiosity on how the Australian government will meet its key objective of becoming a food bowl of Asia. The government has emphasized on the fact that Australia has been a long-term food production region thus thought out the idea of maximizing food production to feed the whole of Asian region (Australia Government 2010). However, the dry climate and the infertile Australian soil presented a great challenge to the farmers and thus lowered the actual food production capability in the country. Introduction of irrigation systems has led to large-scale production of crops such as sugar cane and wheat. Most neighboring countries have been depending on Australia for the supply of these key agricultural products (Florros 2011). By the twentieth century, Australia’s agricultural production has largely faced a rapid growth and extended beyond the requirements of the Australian population. The increase in food production has amplified the country into becoming a world’s major food exporters. Countries, such as New Zealand, a closest neighbor country has highly enjoyed supply of food products from Australia (Linehan et al. 2012). Today, the economy of Australia has received a major boost through the introduction of technological advancements in the agricultural sector (Florros 2011). Crop growing has been contributing to over fifty per cent of the country’s economy status. Production of crops such as sugar and wheat are heavily on the increase in the region. Australia also does a lot in production fruits, groundnuts and vegetables. Dairy farming and general rearing of animals has improvised the whole agricultural sector to a state whereby the quantity produced surpasses the requirement of its citizens. As a result, a lot of agricultural products from the country are exported to other parts of the globe particularly the Asian based countries (Linehan et al. 2012). Availability of a big land mass for the country to invest in crop production has greatly influenced the government to come up with more advanced reforms that can bring agricultural production to its peak (Florros 2011). As a result, these reforms will play an essential role in maximizing food production thus rendering the country in becoming a food bowl of Asia. If this climax is met, then there are great chances that the economy of Australia will grow adversely every day. In the next section, I analyse the most essential agricultural policies and their feasibility in utilizing the available resources. I will evaluate the capability of those policies in meeting the aforementioned objective. Clearly, the biggest worry running in every stakeholders mind is on how the prospected government objectives in amplifying the productivity in the agricultural sector can be met (Hogan and Morris 2010). To thrive in comprehending the capability of Australia in meeting it’s laid out objective, there is a vital need for analyzing the whole logic behind becoming a food bowl of Asia. Keeping in mind the speedy growing populations that Australia aims to feed, agricultural sector has to do a thorough analysis of the expected food requirements in the upcoming years. With the available large mass of land and improvised farming mechanisms, there are great chances of Australia meeting its objective. This necessitates the need for strategic plans in improvising the sector (Hogan and Morris 2010). The government has made several steps in ensuring that the objective is made to real to the whole group of stakeholders in the industry. Foreign investors both in agricultural technology advancement and in machineries have been encouraged to play part in maximizing food production in the region. The Australian government through the imposition of the carbon tax policy, has aided a lot in improvising the production of agricultural products. The pricing done for every carbon emitted has paved way for innovation and introduction of technological processing of agricultural products thus creating great opportunities in agricultural enhancement thus improving crop production. Particular emphasis has been laid on the fact that high-quality cotton products are going to be produced (Cotton Australia 2012). Generally, this will improve the agricultural sector thus enhancing the goal of Australia becoming a food bowl of Asia. The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics has also been encouraged to work harder in widening its agricultural production goals to include adequate analysis of the major requirements in improvising the sector (Linehan et al. 2012). The government has also introduced a forum whereby food production activities form the basis of the government’s objectives. These reforms by the government are essential in ensuring that the goal of becoming a food bowl of Asia is achieved. They greatly aid in improvising the agricultural sector thus creating more chances of the country achieving its recent goal. Up to this point, it is clear that the government has done a lot in empowering the agricultural sector. Although, this is an exceptionally positive move by the government, it is vital to have more strategized policy statement that clarifies the exact major implementations towards the specified goal. Thus in the next section, I have jotted down a list of proposed policy statement that I believe it is realistically practicable and clarifies the feasibility of Australia becoming a food bowl of Asia. If the objective is met, then Australia is going to be one of the most successful countries in the near (Linehan et al. 2012). The key principle of the policy statement is to enlighten stakeholders on the necessary steps towards maximizing. It is aimed to take into close consideration the most essential issues as regards to maximizing food production. It puts emphasis on the feasibility of the objective especially in the next fifteen years and then gradually moves to further years. When successful implemented, then it is my great belief that Australia there are great chances of Australia meeting it’s recently stated out objective (Hogan and Morris 2010) The global food demands are highly on the increase. Particularly considering the agri-food requirements by the Asian countries, it brings a great challenge to the country’s ability to feed the whole Asian communities in the next years. Since Australia has a stable agricultural base, then it is vital that necessary policies are put in place for the country to take advantage of the whole growing need for agricultural food products (Hogan and Morris 2010). The following policies have to be put into close consideration: The Australian government through the Department of agriculture should first begin by fostering a significant research work to evaluate the available land that has been put into food production (Linehan et al. 2012). The Australian Bureau for Agricultural and Resource economies acting on behalf of the government has to bring before the table all those areas that have not been put into crop production due to their dryness and lack of soil fertility. The government working with the agricultural research specialists should analyze the maximum amount of food that can be produced if all the unused land in the region is put into proper cultivation. This land includes the northern region where crop production has been low due to lack of water. However, most of the rainfall in Australia falls in the Northern region (Florros 2011). A clear policy should be put in place to ensure that water catchments are built in all corners of the country to help capture rainwater. This will enhance better means of irrigation in all those areas that lack food production due to dryness. This will involve building of dams in all most regions of the country where rainwater falls. Since most of the Australian soil is usually infertile, it is vital that the government agencies for agricultural production in collaboration with foreign investors come up with a clear mechanism for buying and to an extent produce manures to be laid on the infertile Australian lands (Sheales and Gunning 2009). When analysis of the maximum potential of the country in producing agricultural commodities has been done, the Australian government’s population growth specialists in collaboration with population growth specialists from the Asian communities have to take a thorough analysis of the expected population growth in the next fifteen years. This should include average increase number of people in the whole region. In addition, the most important aspect is that, the expected consumption level for all individual has to be carefully analyzed(Florros 2011). With all this data gathered, plus the overall information on the potential of the country in producing agricultural food products, the government should employ specialists in the respective fields, that is, agriculture and demographic change. This will aid determine the minimum food quantity to be produced per annum (Quentin et al. 2012). This pattern of analysis and evaluation has to be put in place after every six months to ensure that the scope of the communities’ requirements is placed under close evaluation in relation to expected food produced (Linehan et al. 2012). In addition, evaluation of the market and climate changes have to be cautiously analyzed to ensure that there is a clear scope of food produced in a certain specified period. Since cattle, goats, and sheep are a major part of Australia’s agricultural productions, the same analysis as the above should take place to ensure that the country maximizes its chances in exporting food products to the Asian countries. For maximum output to be achieved, the government should enhance the adoption and innovation of technology in the agricultural sector. This will be best done by collaborating with specialists and investors from foreign countries with good agricultural technology advancements (Florros 2011). To avoid any drawback caused by pests on plants and animals, the government should empower the members Australian Bureau for Agriculture and Resource economies in getting preventive mentions towards this predicament (Sheales and Gunning 2009). Finally, since this is a national initiative, the government should ensure that all its citizens plus citizens of other Asian countries are involved in the whole policy of making sure that the country becomes a food bowl for Asia. Working with the main individual who will be affected by this policy is the best way to gather information about the requirements expected. In addition, this will sensitize farmers and enlighten them on each innovated agricultural based technology that can enhance the productivity in the agricultural sector (Quentin et al. 2012). Since the country has resources for maximization of its productivity, putting the above-proposed policy statement into close consideration will ensure the government goal is achieved. Clearly, all requirements in the statement are in a practical sense for the stakeholders in the respective fields. Thus, there are great chances that Australia can become a food bowl of Asia. To understand the significance of Australia becoming a food bowl of Asia in order to develop and maximize the country’s economy and yet match the consumer’s expectations, this proposal aims to shed light on the fact that Australia can become a food bowl of Asia. It involves analysis of the whole agricultural status of the country, the room available for improvisation, and the major issues to be put into close consideration to ensure achievement of the government’s objective (Florros 2011). Therefore, the key focus point in this proposal is to bring it clear that with evidently strategized implementation mechanisms, Australia can achieve its objective of becoming a food bowl of Asia. I believe that the information contained in this paper is vital for researchers, farmers, and government agency specialists in the field of agriculture. This document will provide significant information to all those interested in analyzing the feasibility of the governments. The whole Australian society plus those from Asian communities will benefit a lot from the content of this paper. Recently the Prime Minister for Australia, Julia Guilard announced that it was essential for the government and Australian community to take advantage of the growing demand for agricultural products by the Asian communities (Australia Government 2010). She suggested that much more work should be done in the agricultural sector through introduction of more investment opportunities and ensuring that technology is encompassed in the production of agricultural products. She further says that this will ensure that Australia becomes the food bowl of Asia. Hence, this will further aid in empowering the economic status of the country creating a better future. Agriculture acts as the major source of income around the country. It creates several job opportunities for most Australian citizens. Therefore, with this notion in mind, successful implementation of its policies will greatly uplift the living standard of these citizens. It will further advance their technological understanding and innovations involved in maximizing agricultural productivity. Technological advancements in the agricultural greatly increase productivity and thus more agricultural commodities produced. When the agricultural production is maximized and implementation policies put into close consideration, then it is realistic that Australia can become a food bowl of Asia. The importance of Australia being a food bowl of Asia should not be understated. However, the major question running in everyone’s mind is the feasibility of this government objective. Comprehending the way in which Australia can end up into this scenario is the most essential part of its implementation. The research work done on this proposal will provide great benefits to the communities in Australia. It will play a big part in sensitizing government agencies, agricultural research, and the whole group of agricultural stakeholders that through strategized implementation of essential agricultural policies, Australia can become a food bowl of Asia. The next Australian generation will also be in a good position to understand the key driving factors towards attainment of the specified goals hence improvising their productivity particularly in the agricultural sector. Conclusion This research proposal has attempted to investigate the feasibility of Australia to becoming a food bowl of Asia. I have done a thorough analysis of the driving factors towards achievement of the specified objective. It is vital to note that, with the current policies provided by the government integrated and implemented with the proposed policies, it stands out clearly that as a matter-of-fact that Australia can become a food bowl of Asia (Despommier 2010, p.97). This will greatly uplift the economic status of the country. It is thus imperative for the ideology of making Australia a becoming a food bowl of Asia be clearly addressed to stakeholders in the country and should start as soon as possible (Australia Government 2010). References Australia Government, 2010, “Australia and food security in the changing world”. http://www.innovation.gov.au/Science/PMSEIC/Documents/AustraliaandFoodSecurityina ChangingWorld.pdf Cotton Australia, 2012. “Background briefing-The carbon Tax-What it means for agriculture and cotton”http://cottonaustralia.com.au/uploads/publications/CARBON_TAX__BACKGROUND_BRIEFING.pdf Florros, J 2011, Feeding the minds that feed the world-Food Science and Technology key to feeding 9 Billion people by 2050,viewed 21 October 2012. < http://www.newswise.com/articles/food-science-and-technology-key-to-feeding-9-billion-people-by-2050> Hogan, L and Morris, P 2010, “Agricultural and food policy choices in Australia” Australian Bureau of Agriculture and Resource Economics-Bureau of Rural sciences, vol. 10 no.15, pp.1-27 Linehan, V, Thorpe, S, Andrews, N, Kim, Y and Beaini F 2012, “Food demand to 2050-Opportunities for Australian agriculture”, The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences, vol.12 no.4, pp. 1-21. Quentin, F, Millar, J, & Higgins, V. 2012. Food Security in Australia Challenges and Prospects for the Future. Springer Verlag. Sheales, T and Gunning, C 2009, “Global food security and Australia”, The Australian Government, vol. 9 no. 8, pp. 1-18. World Bank, . "Report on Agriculture in Australia." 25 2010: n. page. Web. 20 Oct. 2012. . Read More