The Albanese Labor Government continues to support farmers and rural communities to strengthen their resilience to drought, with $30 million in funding being delivered through two new programs of the Future Drought Fund.
Over $19.3 million will be delivered to 13 projects through the Drought Resilience Innovation Challenges Pilot Program.
This will connect farmers, producers and regional and rural communities to evidence-based innovation, technology and tools that will help improve climate and drought resilience.
This includes the development of an AI-driven soil microbiome analysis platform, which will help farmers improve fertiliser efficiency and reduce water consumption.
Five projects will share in $11.4 million through the Strengthening Drought Resilience on Country grant program, with delivery partners to work with communities to identify local priorities, co-design projects and build local capability.
Projects include developing a drought sensitivity mapping tool that blends cultural and ecological knowledge, and rewilding wetlands as drought and cultural refuges that hold food, fibre and medicine values.
This grant program was established in response to the Productivity Commission’s recommendation to include First Nations people in the Future Drought Fund and to broader government priorities to boost economic participation and foster genuine partnerships with First Nations peoples.
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.
These new Future Drought Fund projects will roll out across Australia over the next 2 years.
