Katrina Durham

Falkland Islands Government - Department of Agriculture

Agriculture in the Falkland Islands Much of the Falkland Islands land mass is used for agriculture. Despite grazing half a million sheep and approaching 5,000 cattle, the land has largely retained its native plant populations. Interspersed are areas of introduced pasture species, generally on the more naturally fertile soils, which are of particular relevance to animal production due to their improved nutritional value. As such farming in the Falkland Islands is described as an extensive rangeland farming system. Freedom from some of the external parasites that plague other sheep farming areas, and with few production iting diseases, Falkland Island farming is a very natural system. Similarly whilst tilisers and lime would make a big difference to production levels, the sheer bulk of these makes large scale importation to increase soil fertility too expensive, and such inputs are mostly only used when trying to establish newly sown areas. The environment here produces exceptionally clean, natural products, and selection to maintain whiteness in the wool has been successful. Consequently the Falkland Islands does have a very good reputation for these traits in their agricultural exports. Organic certification is a step towards marketing these attributes internationally. The uniqueness of the environment also throws up its challenges, and it is towards these that the DoA directs much of its advisory and research efforts and resources.