The Australian Government has invested $4 million in five collaborative projects spanning all eight national Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the funding, delivered under the $5 billion Future Drought Fund, would drive regional collaboration and national drought resilience.
“No-one better understands the impact of drought than the local industries and communities with lived experience,” Minister Littleproud said.
“This funding will support researchers, farmers and rural communities from hub regions to work together and address common goals as they build local and national drought resilience.
“In one of the five successful projects, the Northern WA and NT Hub will lead a $1.1 million project that will build the drought resilience of rangeland farmers across Western Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia, and New South Wales.
“Demonstration sites will be set up in six regions so rangelands farmers can see for themselves how innovative technology and practices can improve their grazing management, pasture regeneration and water use efficiency and make their businesses more drought resilient.
“Through a separate project, the South Australia Hub will lead a $1 million project that will focus on enhancing the drought resilience of wine grape, almond and citrus growers.
“The project will establish 8 trial sites across South Australia, Southern NSW, Victoria and Tasmania demonstrating how digital tools can provide real-time information on canopy development and soil moisture to assist in maintaining plant health and sustainability through drought.
“These are practical investments in the future of Australian agriculture and the resilience of regional communities.”
