The Australian Government is providing $9 million through the Future Drought Fund to put boots on the ground in regional Australia and give farmers practical assistance applying the latest in drought resilience innovation and technology.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said a new national network of Adoption Officers would be based across the eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.
"Locals know their regional communities and needs better than anyone and that's why key roles, like Adoption Officers are best in these communities," Minister Littleproud said.
"This investment is equal to 20 new full-time jobs in regional Australia to support agriculture to prepare for the next drought, that will inevitably come.
"Adoption Officers will engage with farmers to assist with the uptake of new practices and technologies, provide feedback to the Hubs on what farmers want, and support farmers to use tools developed by the Future Drought Fund, such as Climate Services for Agriculture.
"Each Hub will also receive a $2.5 million boost to expand their activities to deliver broader innovation outcomes beyond drought, including for fisheries and aquaculture.
"This funding will allow Hubs and their key stakeholders to identify activities under the National Agricultural Innovation Agenda targeting exports, climate resilience, biosecurity, and digital agriculture for their region.
"The Hubs have over 40 locations across Australia, and I encourage all farmers to engage with them to assist build drought resilience, productivity and sustainability of agriculture.
