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Contributions of the grains industry
The Australian grains industry contributes to a range of economic, social and environmental outcomes that affect our quality of life. The industry is constantly striving to improve its performance, thereby contributing to ecologically sustainable development (ESD).
This interactive profile brings together economic, social and bio-physical information specific to the grains industry. The profile is designed to evolve over time in response to new information and input from users. The profile is the first demonstration product of the Signposts for Australian Agriculture project.
For a quick start, click on the 'full component tree' button and go directly to a component of interest. Otherwise, read on for more information.
The economic, social and bio-physical components are repeatedly subdivided to give a comprehensive picture of industry contributions in space and over time depending on available information. Together they form a ‘component tree’ which can be viewed at any time by clicking on the ‘full component tree’ button. You can navigate up and down the tree or jump from branch to branch.
Each component, including this one, follows the same format. The description of the component includes a statement of the desired outcome, an indicator and a summary measure. The results section provides values for the summary measure and indicator when data is available. Components are linked to information on relevant management responses and data on their adoption. At the end of each component there is a space for posting comments.
Clicking the ‘+ more’ icon expands the text to provide more detail.
Desired outcome
The net contribution of the industry to ESD is positive and increasing over time.
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The desired outcome will be achieved by maintaining or increasing positive contributions and reducing or eliminating negative contributions. Contributions are interpreted in terms of positive or negative impacts on various capitals – natural capital, human capital, social capital and produced capital. (See 'conceptual framework' in About Signposts.)
Indicator
No single indicator has been developed that adequately reflects the many contributions of the industry to ESD. The Signposts Framework progressively unpacks the contribution of the industry into components and sub-components until it reaches a point where an indicator is feasible.
Summary measure
It is not the intention of Signposts to aggregate all industry contributions into a single summary measure. It may be possible, however, to develop a multivariate measure that aggregates contributions up to the second or third level of the component tree in order to provide a convenient overview.
Results
Summary measures are available for some sub-components. Refer to the component tree.
Responses
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See individual sub-components or click on ‘management practices’ on the left of the screen to view information on land management practices. Other types of responses will be added as information is compiled.
Interactions with other components
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See individual sub-components.
External drivers
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See individual sub-components.
