Albanese Labor Government putting climate-smart farming front and centre

The capacity of Australian farmers to use climate-smart practices in their operations has been boosted with $9 million in support from the Albanese Labor Government. 

The support has been provided through 13 Capacity Building Grants, as part of the Government’s $302.1 million Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, and demonstrates our commitment to supporting a more sustainable and climate-smart sector.  

Minister Collins announced the grants in Western Australia which has received over $1.6 million for projects in the Kimberly, Southwest, the Wheatbelt and Stirling Ranges regions. 

These capacity building projects will seek to develop localised climate change, soil health, biodiversity and water management initiatives, leading to lower emissions and better use of natural resources.  

They will support farmers to increase their awareness, knowledge and skills of best practice climate-smart sustainable agriculture approaches.  

The capacity of community and regional groups, Indigenous and industry organisations who work with farmers will be bolstered to assist farmers as they adopt and adapt to new practices. 

Indigenous engagement and participation in sustainable agriculture will also be strengthened, with successful projects either being led by Indigenous organisations or engaging Indigenous people and groups.  

For more information on these projects and the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program, visit agriculture.gov.au/climate-smart 

Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP: 

“Sustainability is a key focus for the Albanese Labor Government, as we find ways for the agriculture sector to embrace climate-smart farming without compromising on productivity.

“There is no one way to approach sustainability in agriculture, especially in a country with diverse landscapes and ecosystems like Australia. As a result, the way we tackle climate change in the sector needs to be flexible and adaptable for agribusinesses.

“Australian produce has a global reputation for being high quality and sustainable, and initiatives like this spur on even more take-up of practices that will cement this reputation among our trading partners and international consumers.

“I’m looking forward to seeing the outcome of these projects, including the strengthened engagement with Indigenous people, and how this might be replicated across the sector.”

The following applicants were successful:

  • The Mulloon Institute Limited
  • Narrabri Local Aboriginal Land Council
  • Bass Coast Landcare Network Inc.
  • Geographe Catchment Council Incorporated
  • Mimal Land Management Aboriginal Corporation
  • Mallee Catchment Management Authority
  • Stirlings to Coast Farmers Inc.
  • Accounting For Nature Limited
  • The University of Queensland
  • NSW Local Land Services
  • West Gippsland Catchment Management Authority
  • Wheatbelt Natural Resource Management Incorporated
  • Northern Australia Aboriginal Kakadu Plum Alliance Co-operative Limited