Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management, the Hon David Littleproud MP
Western Australia Minister for Regional Development and Food, The Hon Alannah MacTiernan MLC
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud and Western Australian Minister for Regional Development, Agriculture and Food Alannah MacTiernan said the Future Drought Fund programs will support farmers and regions to build resilience to future droughts.
"The $9.85 million Regional Drought Resilience Planning program supports partnerships of councils, regional organisations, communities, industries and farmers to develop regional drought resilience plans," Minister Littleproud said.
"The plans will identify how to manage through droughts, finding ways to build resilience across agricultural sectors and allied industries.
Planning will be community-led and owned. It will bring regional knowledge and perspectives, along with the best available evidence and data.
"Australian farmers manage uncertainty daily and the business of farming is becoming more challenging," Minister Littleproud said.
"The $16 million Farm Business Resilience program will give farmers access to subsidised learning and development opportunities to meet these challenges.
"The program will take farmers' knowledge and skills to the next level in risk management and decision-making, natural resource management, and personal and social resilience.
"It will also support farm business planning and access to experts and one-on-one advice.
"The Australian Government welcomes Western Australia's partnership in these important Future Drought Fund initiatives."
Western Australia will benefit from over $2.2 million in Future Drought Fund funding for Farm Business Resilience and over $1.3 million for Regional Drought Resilience Planning.
WA Minister for Agriculture and Food Alannah MacTiernan said through the Farm Business Resilience program WA will work closely with industry experts to develop targeted support that fits farmer needs and drives long-term climate resilience and risk management.
"This program builds on work through WA's Drought Pilot program, which provided targeted support to the State's broadacre farmers," Minister MacTiernan said.
"This new program will be expanded to the horticulture and pastoral sectors, supporting uptake of farming practices that the regenerate WA's pastoral's landscapes and business planning and people management skills in the horticulture sector.
"We want our farmers to continue leading the world when it comes to adapting to climate change, preparing for drought and other challenges.
"Our Regional Development Commissions will lead Regional Drought Resilience Planning, working with local government to develop three drought resilience plans in regions at the forefront of climate change and our drying climate.
"These plans for the Northern Midwest, Southern Wheatbelt and the Great Southern Inland regions will be tailored to local conditions and local communities.
"The evidence-based plans will provide a roadmap to actions needed to strengthen drought resilience and encourage innovative initiatives, through lessons learned from previous dry seasons."
The Australian Government has recently announced an additional $91 million for both programs over 3 years beyond the foundational year and will be working with states and territories on the detail.
For more details visit the Australian Government Future Drought Fund webpage.
Fast Facts:
- The Farm Business Resilience program and Regional Drought Resilience Planning program are foundational programs under the Australian Government's forward-thinking $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
- The Future Drought Fund is a long term sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought preparedness.
- Both programs will roll out across the country from 2021 until June 2022.
