A SERVICE developed to help those 'slipping through the cracks' is ready to begin helping farmers.
Rural Business Support has launched a new consultancy division to complement its rural financial counselling service.
Chief executive Kay Matthias said the board decided to look into this new direction about 12 months ago.
"We were hearing from our staff there were a whole cohort of farmers who didn't qualify for the strict criteria for our free financial counselling but couldn't afford to buy in a similar service," Ms Matthias said.
"They were slipping through the cracks."
Ms Matthias said the board decided to go down this path to help 'at risk' farmers and avoid them reaching the point where they may qualify for free counselling.
During the past 12 months RBS has worked to get the system in place and is now ready to roll out the service.
"It was a little while in the planning but it is better to get it right," she said.
Among the services they offer is helping rural households who may qualify for the farm household allowance to develop necessary farm financial assessment.
They can also help with a second round of funding of the SA River Murray Sustainability Irrigation Industry Improvement Program, due to open shortly.
Available for primary producers with a class-three water entitlement, SARMS 3IP can provide funding for on-farm projects.
"We're telling clients it is really important to get the planning started early, and we can help through the planning stage, with risk assessments and the financial plan," Ms Matthias said.
"We believe there is a shortage of consultants out there able to assist clients with the things available to help.
"It can make things easier when dealing with bureaucracy."
