Answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the program.
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Q |
Is the ECP a voluntary program for farmers? |
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A |
YES. It is up to the farmer to decide if they wish to become
involved in the program. |
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Q |
Do I need to have anything in particular done on my farm
before joining the program? |
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A |
NO. You can be at any stage before joining. Most farmers will
find they can tick off a number of the actions in some of the levels already. |
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Q |
Must participants in the program be members of the RGA? |
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A |
NO. However, by being a member of the RGA there are many benefits
other than just the ECP. Participants are encouraged to become members of the RGA,
remembering that all membership fees are tax deductible. |
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Q |
If I haven’t grown rice in the last few years, can I still
become involved? |
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A |
YES. As Australian rice farmers are also farmers of other
significant commodities there is a need for the ECP to be flexible and apply to
other farming systems equally. The program has been designed in a way that it is not
essential to grow rice to become involved. In fact, there are currently some
non-ricegrowers involved in the program. |
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Q |
Do farmers get any direct benefits from being involved in the
ECP? |
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A |
Some farmers involved have found that there are improved
efficiencies and cost savings by completing activities within the program. There has
also been feedback received from participants suggesting that there are many
benefits involved in working within cluster groups in the program. Cluster groups
act as a motivational tool to get actions achieved, allow support for each other,
are an effective way of getting things done, and are a great way to catch up
socially. |
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Q |
Are there financial incentives available for participants? |
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A |
There are incentives that participants can access through
other programs that are incorporated into the ECP. For example by achieving some of
the activities in the program that relate to the irrigation companies there may be
incentives available relating to the specific activity (such as vegetation or
storage incentives). |
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Q |
What are the long term benefits of the ECP? |
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A |
By being involved in the program you will be assisting to
change the perception of the rice industry to one of environmental leadership
through demonstrated environmental change and recognition for environmental
stewardship. The program also aims to lead to regional landscape improvement to work
towards a sustainable rice industry for future generations. |
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Q |
Does the ECP include OH&S requirements? |
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A |
If all OH&S requirements were included in the program it
would not be achievable. However, the program does incorporate OH&S requirements
into certain activities where possible. |
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Q |
How do I get involved in the program? |
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A |
Contact your regional coordinator by going to the
our staff page of this website. The regional coordinator in your area can assist
you in getting involved in the program. |
