Japanese farmers look to Australia
Japanese farmers affected by last year's nuclear disaster are using farming land in Australia's north-eastern state of Queensland to grow rice.
Rice crops are being trialed in areas better known for cane just south of Townsville, with funding from the Queensland Government.
The Fukushima Farm project aims to produce a small amount of rice this year with the initial harvest in three months.
Roger Kaus from the Queensland Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation said about 20,000 farmers were affected by the disaster.
They will not be bale to grow rice on their land for the next 40 years.
"Mainly because of the salt effect from the tsunami and also the issue with the plant, with the nuclear plant," Mr Kaus said.
"They've actaully planted the rice they are looking to grow here last week, it is so far so good".
Mr Kaus said the Japanese growers will take rice back to Japan for taste testing once it is harvested.
He said the project aims to cover some of the rice growing loss from the Fukushima region and create economic oppurtunities.
"Fukushima produces about 350,000 tonnes of rice each year and there is a shortfall there so they're looking for areas that in time will fill the gap for that amount of rice," he said.
http://www.radioaustralia.net.au/international/2012-02-28/397022