30 September 2025
Regional Area Manager for North Queensland, Angelo Rigano's monthly agribusiness tip
North Queensland cane growers could be a step closer to turbocharging their farm diversification strategies following a recent public hearing in Townsville as part of the Queensland Government’s Sugar Bioenergy Inquiry.
The inquiry, which is investigating the potential of biofuel and value-added sugar production across the state, has sparked important conversations about the benefits of diversification not only for Queensland’s sugarcane industry but the state’s wider agricultural sectors.
Diversification can help primary producers boost biodiversity, create additional income streams, and mitigate on-farm risks – which are all also timely considerations as we approach disaster season.
While a final report into the Sugar Bioenergy Inquiry is expected within the next year, here’s five ways Queensland primary producers can diversify their operations right now using a QRIDA First Start or Sustainability Loan:
- Expand into paddock-to-plate: QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans can fund value-adding activities such as constructing a commercial kitchen to help expand your farm business into a paddock-to-plate model. See Wide Bay fruit and vegetable growers and QRIDA Sustainability Loan clients Greg and CC Petersen’s success story here.
- Plant alternative crops and integrate livestock: Depending on whether you are starting out in farming or growing your existing operation, QRIDA’s First Start or Sustainability Loans could help you diversify into new crops and livestock. See how Western Queensland goat and beef producer and QRIDA First Start Loan client Ed Wade diversified into goats here.
- Buy additional rural properties: QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans could help you expand your operation by purchasing additional land or entering into share-farming or lease-faming arrangements. See how Central Queensland graziers and QRIDA First Start and Sustainability Loan clients Sam and Casey Alsop purchased their second block of land here.
- Build on-farm packing facilities: QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans could help producers take greater control of the supply chain and minimise risk by building their own packing facilities on-farm. See how North Queensland citrus growers and QRIDA Sustainability Loan clients, the Bugno family, installed a computerised packing machine here.
- Construct small-sale rural workers’ accommodation: QRIDA’s Sustainability Loans could help producers improve productivity and secure workers by constructing on-farm rural workers accommodation. See how North Queensland organics operation owners and QRIDA Sustainability Loan clients, the Spotswood family, constructed on-farm rural worker accommodation here.
For more information, visit QRIDA's First Start Loan webpage or Sustainability Loan webpage. You can also call QRIDA on 1800 623 946.
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