The agriculture industry in Victoria is quite diverse. There were an estimated 33,212 farms in Victoria, according to the 2002-03 Agricultural Survey, ranging from small establishments engaged in dairying or horticulture to large properties mainly devoted to sheep, cattle or cereal production.
In the main, the dairying, fruit growing and vegetable industries are located in the higher rainfall districts of the state in Gippsland and the Western District, together with the irrigated areas north of the Great Dividing Range with access to water from the Murray River. Cropping and extensive grazing are located mainly in the Wimmera and Mallee and to a lesser extent in the non-irrigated areas in the north and north-east of the state and the drier parts of the Western District and East Gippsland.
ESTABLISHMENTS WITH AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY(a), Victoria, at 30 June
|
 | Number |
|
| 1997(b) | 36,656 |
| 2001 | 35,229 |
| 2002 | 33,581 |
| 2003 | 33,212 |
|
(a) Refers to farm establishments with an estimated value of agricultural operations (EVAO) of $5,000 or more.
(b) At 31 March.
Source: Agriculture, Australia (cat. no. 7113.0) and Agricultural Commodities, Australia (cat. no. 7121.0).
The Goulburn Statistical Division (SD) recorded the highest number of farms in Victoria at 30 June 2003 (5,781). This was followed by the Western District SD with 4,305 and the Mallee SD with 4,097.
ESTABLISHMENTS WITH AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITY(a), at 30 June 2003
|
| Statistical Division | Number |
|
| Melbourne | 2,594 |
| Barwon | 1,785 |
| Western District | 4,305 |
| Central Highlands | 1,971 |
| Wimmera | 2,806 |
| Mallee | 4,097 |
| Loddon | 2,035 |
| Goulburn | 5,781 |
| Ovens-Murray | 2,132 |
| East Gippsland | 2,364 |
| Gippsland | 3,343 |
| |
| Victoria | 33,212 |
|
(a) Refers to farm establishments with an EVAO of $5,000 or more.
Source: Unpublished ABS data available on request, 2003 Agricultural Survey.
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