A cluster of Parkinson's disease has been discovered in north-west Victoria. Researchers from Monash University say that prevalence in the area - which is a key lentil, beans, barley and chickpea farming region - is 78 per cent higher than the rest of the state.

Uncovered by a team of scientists and heath researchers, the discovery "has sparked calls for urgent research into links with pesticides and other farming techniques".

Innovative and less harmful techniques have been explored to replace pesticides in an agricultural environment.

Approximately six months before the discovery of this Parkinson's cluster the Tasmanian Institute of Agriculture (TIA) announced their intension to partner with the Tasmanian Farmers and Graziers Association (TFGA) to explore the use of electrolysed water on crops.

Read more:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-04-11/researchers-find-parkinsons-cluster-in-rural-victoria/7315066

http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/parkinsons-disease-cluster-in-northwest-farming-region-20160410-go2qw3.html