- Minister for Agriculture
Farmers in the north-west Millewa region can now apply for a farm machinery grant to help them maintain on-farm machinery and equipment and prepare for future seasons, thanks to the Andrews Labor Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today opened applications for the Farm Machinery Improvement Grants Program as part of the Labor Government's $31.6m drought assistance package, announced in October.
The program will be delivered by the Victorian Farmers Federation and will provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible dryland farm businesses in the Millewa and surrounding areas.
Farm owners, operators, share farmers or leaseholders can apply for a grant to undertake essential maintenance and repair of machinery including tractors, harvesters, seeders and hay baling equipment – including maintenance and repairs to meet safety standards and repairs to fix or replace broken parts.
The Labor Government's $31.6 million drought package takes its total support for drought-affected farmers since September 2018 to over $81 million.
For more information about the program and to apply for support, visit agriculture.vic.gov.au/dryseasons or call 136 186.
As stated by Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes
"I encourage all dryland farmers in the Millewa to get in touch and apply for these grants to repair and maintain essential farming machinery to ensure they have what they need for the 2020 growing season and beyond."
"We're working with the
"This is part of our immediate, targeted support for farmers in the Millewa – and we'll continue to work closely with farming communities to help them stay resilient as climate change makes drought more frequent and severe."
As stated by Victorian Farmers Federation President David Jochinke
"These grants will provide much needed assistance for farmers, allowing them to make the necessary preparations for what I hope will be a strong 2020/21 season."
