Ever Wonder About Those Red Tip Bananas?
If you have seen them in the supermarkets and wondered where they come from then wonder no more. They’re produced by Pacific Coast Eco Bananas at Mourilyan and now they have won the Rural Sustainability Award in the inaugural Environmental Protection Agency Sustainable Industries Awards.
Environment Minister Desley Boyle said Pacific Coast Eco Bananas won the award despite being extensively damaged by Cyclone Larry, due to its environmentally-sustainable farming system that relies on the interaction of plants, weeds and insects instead of artificial fertilizers.
“Scientific evidence shows using less chemicals and pesticides on farms can actually improve the quality of the soil, which in turn improves the quality of the produce,” Ms Boyle said.
“By using nature’s own pest control methods, Pacific Coast Eco Bananas has improved its farm management practises and cut the use of pesticides, fungicides and fertilisers.
“It has reduced runoff entering waterways which eventually enter the Great Barrier Reef lagoon - a worthy achievement.”
Pacific Coast Eco Banana founders Frank and Dianne Sciacca said they were excited to have won the inaugural award, which was a much-needed boost as they continued to rebuild their business in the wake of Cyclone Larry.
“Cyclone Larry has definitely been devastating for us, but we are well on our way to restoring the plantations,” Ms Sciacca said.
“We realised some time ago that farmers can only reduce their production inputs and achieve sustainability when the farming system is not reliant on achieving an unnatural level of yield.
“Through making improvements in integrated pest management, reduced water, energy and waste management, we received financial, brand and environmental rewards,” Ms Sciacca said.
Ms Boyle said the winners across six different categories had been selected from a total of 115 entries and showcased Queensland’s “champions of sustainability”.
“The state’s first industry sustainability awards highlight the effort being made by many businesses to implement sustainable practices that are good for the environment and the balance sheet,” Ms Boyle said.
“Sustainable industries are about smart strategies like eco-efficiency, socially-responsible investment and building competitiveness through sustainability.”
The Rural Sustainability Award, sponsored by Queensland Farmers’ Federation, was awarded to Pacific Coast Eco Bananas for innovation in sustainable agribusiness.
Finalists were judged by a panel of industry representatives. The other finalists in this category were Barramundi Blue Acquaculture, Multi Farming Systems, and Total Grower Services.
