Online improvements provide more support for farmers

An online platform to support farmers manage climate risks and build drought resilience has been improved following input from across the agricultural sector.

The improvements follow engagement across the agricultural sector, including testing the platform prototype in pilot regions, to ensure it provides practical information to help build farmers’ climate adaptability.

Minister for Agriculture Fisheries and Forestry, Senator Murray Watt, said new additions to the Climate Service for Agriculture (CSA) platform would give more farmers and agricultural businesses a clearer picture of climate trends likely to impact them.

“Regions across Australia have experienced widespread and devastating flooding for the past three years,” Minister Watt said.

“However, drought is also a natural part of our landscape, and periods of drought are likely to become more frequent and severe with climate change.

“That’s why innovative digital tools for farmers, like CSA, are essential to prepare for the return of dry conditions and the changing climate.

“Farmers can use CSA to assess how the climate variables that matter to their business could change in the future at their location.

Minister Watt said the CSA platform was developed through the Bureau of Meteorology and CSIRO, with funding from the Future Drought Fund.

“Australian farmers have a great story to tell when it comes to sustainability and by building resilience on farm their sustainable credentials will only increase,” he said.

“The Albanese Government is committed to ensuring our agricultural industry has the tools it needs to be sustainable, helping them reach their own climate goals.”

CSA provides historical climate data, seasonal outlooks and future climate projections to help inform decision making and build drought resilience – now, and in the future.

For more information on the Climate Services for Agriculture visit https://climateservicesforag.indraweb.io/