SA rural residents will benefit from $3.4 million in government funds to increase resilience against droughts.
The SA government in partnering with their federal counterparts to roll out the Future Drought Fund programs, to assist farmers and regional communities develop the tools and capabilities they need to build drought resilience.
Federal Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management Minister David Littleproud and SA Primary Industries and Regional Development Minister David Basham said this partnership woiuld give farmers the extra skills needed to protect against future droughts while an expected three regional communities will also get new tools.
SA will get $2.2m towards the Farm Business Resilience program and $1.2m for Regional Drought Resilience Planning, with the programs rolling out from this year until June 2022.
Mr Littleproud said Australian farmers managed uncertainty and complexity every day, however, the business of farming was becoming more challenging.
Nationally, the $16m Farm Business Resilience program would give Australia access to subsidised learning and development opportunities, he said.
"The Farm Business Resilience program will upgrade farmers' knowledge and skills in risk management and decision-making, resource management, and personal and social resilience," he said.
"Farmers will be supported to work on their farm business plans and will have access to experts and one-on-one professional advice on their plan.
"Meanwhile the $9.85m Regional Drought Resilience Planning program will support partnerships of regional organisations, councils, communities and farmers right around Australia to develop regional drought resilience plans specific to their area.
"The plans will identify actions to prepare for and manage through drought, with a focus on innovative ways to build drought resilience across a region's agricultural sector and allied industries."
Mr Littleproud said planning would be community-led and owned, bringing together diverse knowledge and perspectives across the region, along with the best available evidence and data.
Mr Basham said the programs recognised the fact that no two farms or agricultural regions were the same.
"The Farm Business Resilience program will connect farm businesses with industry led training and Family and Business Support mentors to work on their farm business skills," he said.
"This tailored one-on-one business support led by industry will give farmers the flexibility to develop a farm business plan that meets the needs of their farm.
"The arrangements for regionally based partnerships to lead the Regional Drought Resilience planning program are being finalised and will include collaboration between groups like Regional Development Australia, SA Landscape Boards and Local Government through the South Australian Regional Organisations of Councils."
Mr Basham said the plans would identify actions, pathways and opportunities to improve regional drought resilience, mitigate risks and support regional communities and the agriculture sector adapt to change.
"The plans will also leverage and build on existing state government plans and strategies, including the South Australian Government's Regional Development Strategy, and others related to climate resilience, water planning and managing adverse events," he said..
"This is an important opportunity for up to three regional communities to identify local solutions, areas for future investment and have their say on how their community improves their resilience to drought."
The Australian government has recently announced an additional $91m for both programs across three years beyond the foundational year and will be working with states and territories on the detail.
- Details: visit the Australian Government Future Drought Fund webpage.
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