Finding farming solutions to climate volatility

Australia’s farmers will be able to access proven practices and technologies to make their businesses more resilient and sustainable as conditions dry, thanks to a series of grants from the Future Drought Fund.

Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt said the Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices grants would enable farmers and regional communities to build better drought practices into their businesses.

“Drought is a normal part of the Australian landscape, but we know we will see more frequent and more intense droughts thanks to climate change,” Minister Watt said.

“Farmers listen to other farmers, so these grants will mean farmers can share practices and tools that will shore up businesses before the next dry hits.

“I know that many parts of Australia are still dealing with the aftereffects of last year’s floods, but I also know that the next drought is always around the corner.

“What drought resilience looks like will be different from place to place, and there is no one-size-fits-all solution.

“We’re investing $13 million from the Future Drought Fund, through the Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices program to provide 18 grants to organisations and farmers across Australia, which will enable a range of projects to go ahead.

“This includes a grant for Ag Excellence Alliance, who will work with 15 grower groups and four Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs across southern Australia to show farmers how early sowing can be more efficient and help manage climate risks.

“In northern Australia, the NT Farmers Association will work with cattle farmers to adopt best practice cotton production, which supports diversification and provides an additional food source for livestock as conditions dry.

“Another project will help improve the profitability and productivity of wine, horticulture, grains, cotton, sugar and livestock producers on 75 farms across South Australia, Queensland, and northern NSW.

“Australia’s farmers are innovative and independent. We’ve already seen how our farmers are adapting to the changing climate.

"These initiatives mean proven ideas and technologies can spread further, readying agribusiness to carry on through the hard times.”

The Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices program is part of the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund which provides $100 million each year for programs and projects to support farmers and regional communities to build their drought resilience.

For more information, including the full list of Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices grant recipients, visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/extension-adoption-drought-resilience-farming-practices-grants.