TNQ Drought Hub
James Cook University Australia
Search

Gulf Workshop Drives Climate-Smart Agriculture by Building Better Soil Health

Key takeaway

  • The workshop provided hands-on learning and real-world techniques for better soil management, including ways to boost productivity and environmental outcomes
  • Professor André Leu highlighted holistic methods that improve water retention, balance nutrients, and increase profitability while reducing reliance on synthetic inputs and overall workload.
  • Regional Soils Coordinator, Dhiraj Gajera outlined how the National Soil Action Plan and National Soil Strategy are helping farmers identify local soil constraints and implement practical, government-backed solutions.

More than 50 producers gathered recently for the Total Soil Health Workshop in Mareeba in the Gulf Savannah region, the fourth in a series delivered through the Climate-Smart Agriculture Project. The event, hosted by Gulf Savannah NRM, focused on improving soil health and supporting producers as they transition towards more sustainable and resilient farming practices.

The workshop offered hands-on learning and practical insights designed to help landholders enhance both productivity and environmental outcomes through better soil management.

Among the key speakers was Dhiraj Gajera, Regional Soil Coordinator for the TNQ Drought Hub, who spoke about the National Soil Action Plan and the National Soil Strategy. These two major Australian Government initiatives address food security and climate change through improved soil stewardship.

“These programs support meaningful engagement with farmers to help us understand their local soil constraints and identify practical solutions to improve both soil health and productivity,” Dhiraj explained.

Regional Soils Coordinator, Dhiraj Gajera

He reminded the audience that the importance of soil cannot be overstated.

“Ninety-five per cent of our food comes from the soil and soil organisms, not from the supermarket,” he said. “By working closely with farmers and extension providers, we aim to raise awareness about the importance of soil health and encourage best practices. Healthy soil leads to healthy food, healthy people, and a healthy country.”

Dhiraj also emphasised that continued government support and investment in soil management are vital to achieving sustainable, climate-resilient agriculture across the region.

Internationally recognised regenerative agriculture expert Professor Dr André Leu delivered an engaging session on holistic strategies for improving soil health and farm productivity. His presentation focused on practical, proven methods that build soil function while delivering real business benefits for producers.

Key takeaways included:

  • Enhancing water capture and retention
  • Balancing soil nutrients naturally
  • Increasing productivity and profitability
  • Reducing overall farming workload

Through these approaches, Professor Leu demonstrated how regenerative methods can reduce reliance on synthetic inputs and create more resilient, profitable systems tailored to northern landscapes.

The day also included discussions on regional soil initiatives, hands-on demonstrations, and peer-to-peer learning opportunities. Participants shared local experiences, building networks that will strengthen future collaboration across the Gulf region.

Workshops like these highlight the power of community-led learning and the critical role of knowledge exchange in building climate-smart, sustainable agricultural systems.

To learn more, visit https://gulfsavannahnrm.org/