Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, the Hon Julie Collins MP
Victorian Minister for Agriculture, Minister for Water, and Minister for Rural and Regional Development, the Hon Michaela Settle MP
Victorian farmers and regional communities will have better tools to manage future drought conditions.
The Albanese and Carroll Labor Governments are investing more than $66.8 million to continue the Victorian Farm Business Resilience Program and Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program through to 2029.
This funding is in addition to the Carroll Labor Government's $146.5 million Drought Support Package for Victorian farmers.
The Farm Business Resilience Program gives farmers practical skills to make informed decisions on their farms.
Farmers can learn more about profitable decision-making, drought preparedness, farm management, and a range of other topics through a mix of short courses, workshops, webinars, field days and farm walks.
The Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program helps communities turn local drought plans into action.
Every region across Victoria now has a regional drought resilience plan in place, developed through the program's first phase.
Up to $1.5 million will be available in each region to support coordination and deliver priority actions identified in local regional drought resilience plans.
This will help communities, local government, industry and regional organisations deliver projects that strengthen drought and climate preparedness and build resilience for the future.
The programs build on strong results already delivered across Victoria.
Since 2021, more than 4000 people have engaged in intensive Farm Business Resilience Program activities.
More than 2400 farm business plans have been developed or updated to help strengthen business performance.
More than 47 Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program on-ground projects have been delivered across Victoria.
These programs are helping support farmers prepare for future drought conditions - helping protect regional jobs, local economies and Victoria's food security.
