Fifth generation farmer restores biodiversity, saves soil on family property

• A second Landcare Australia and Syngenta Australia Enhancing Biodiversity partnership project is helping fifth generation farmer Gavin Elleway and his family restore biodiversity on their farm in South Australia.
• The Elleway’s land will benefit from increased biodiversity, which helps improve water infiltration and soil stability, and support threatened species.
• The Syngenta Enhancing Biodiversity project is helping to ensure that the Elleway farm remains productive for future generations.

When Gavin Elleway expanded his family's farm in the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia, he had a vision to improve the land and make it more sustainable. The recently purchased 2000ha cropping property was bare and suffering from substantial soil erosion issues, limited local pollination, and dryland salinity. With the support of the Landcare Australia and Syngenta Enhancing Biodiversity partnership project, Gavin has been able to take the first steps toward bringing back native vegetation and improving soil health on the property.

Broadacre revegetation and remnant vegetation enhancement has now been undertaken across 130ha of the property, with approximately 65,000 native trees, shrubs and grasses planted. This not only helps improve soil health but also helps attract pollinators and native fauna back to the area - providing a vital food source and nesting habitat for woodland birds and the vulnerable Malleefowl species, one of Australia’s three unique mound-building birds.

This has been Gavin’s first experience engaging in such a large scale landcare project, and has inspired him to undertake further landcare projects on the property.

“Now that the seeding is complete, we’re excited to see the results as the plants become established over the next few years,” said Gavin. “It’s been a really motivating experience and a fantastic way to build relationships with like-minded people here on the Peninsula.”

Syngenta’s Managing Director and Country Head for ANZ, Paul Luxton said this project is testament to the positive impact that sustainable farming can have on our environment.

“Regenerating this land will help the Elleway’s farm improve productivity and ensure it is handed over to future generations in better condition. Syngenta Australia and Landcare Australia are proud to be working together to help farmers like Gavin protect our environment for future generations.”

The Syngenta Enhancing Biodiversity Project, managed by Landcare Australia, aligns with Syngenta’s 2020-2025 Good Growth Plan, which aims to support farmers to combat the impacts of climate change and enhance biodiversity for a more productive agricultural industry.

ENDS

For more information or for an interview, please contact:

Jaelle Bajada
0438 396 154
jaelle.bajada@syngenta.com

Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to drive positive change in agriculture and embed sustainability across all aspects of our business.