$27 million to scale up drought and climate resilience

The Albanese Labor Government continues to support farmers and communities in regional and rural Australia prepare for drought, with $27 million being delivered to scale up or extend drought and climate resilience projects. Delivered through the Future Drought Fund’s (FDF) Scaling Success Program, 15 current or previous FDF projects will be expanded to support farmers to boost their drought resilience.

Projects in every state and territory will help keep farmers and producers productive, keep regional economies strong, and help build social and environmental resilience. This includes the Farming Forecaster project, which will support farmers in New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania to improve feed management and natural capital, leveraging favourable conditions and better preparing for dry periods.

Technical advice from the CSIRO will support farmers in dry areas across the country to integrate Oldman Saltbush into their grazing systems, with this drought-tolerant plant to help farmers feed their livestock year-round. The Albanese Labor Government has invested more than $1.3 billion in rural support and drought resilience measures to help farmers prepare for, adapt to, and recover from challenging conditions since July 2022.

Scaling Success Program grant recipients: South Coast Natural Resource Management Inc, WA: $2,812,546 Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation, NSW, SA, WA: $1,972,292 AG Excellence Alliance Incorporated, NSW, SA, Vic, WA: $2,709,278 Adelaide University, NSW, SA, Vic, WA: $2,625,068 Adelaide University, NSW, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: $1,638,490 Stirlings to Coast Farmers Inc, NSW, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: $473,400 Mallee Catchment Management Authority, Vic: $1,498,880 Wimmera Catchment Authority, Vic: $616,000 Farmers2Founders Pty Ltd, NSW, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: $2,985,000 Sub-Tropical Dairy Programme Limited, NSW, Qld, Vic: $968,000 NRM South, NSW, Tas, Vic: $1,870,541 Grower Group Alliance Inc., SA and WA: $3,000,000 Up 2 Us Landcare Alliance Inc., Vic: $1,357,000 Deakin University, NSW: $1,098,900 Soils for Life Pty Ltd, ACT, NSW, NT, Qld, SA, Tas, Vic, WA: $1,040,351 Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP: “Drought is a case of when, not if, which is why we’re working with farmers and regional communities to help them prepare for and boost their resilience to drought.

“The Scaling for Success Program is about not reinventing the wheel, but leveraging the work of existing projects and technology that’s already helping our farmers and producers to remain productive. “Every community across Australia relies on the work of our farmers, which is why our Government will always back our farmers during challenging conditions.” We acknowledge the continuous connection of First Nations Traditional Owners and Custodians to the lands, seas and waters of Australia.

We recognise their care for and cultivation of Country. We pay respect to Elders past and present, and recognise their knowledge and contribution to the productivity, innovation and sustainability of Australia’s agriculture, fisheries and forestry industries.