Federal and State governments say Future Drought Fund programs will support farmers and regions to build resilience to future droughts.
The $9.85 million Regional Drought Resilience Planning program is designed to support partnerships of regional organisations, councils, communities and farmers to develop regional drought resilience plans.
The plans should identify how to manage through droughts by finding ways to build resilience across agricultural sectors and allied industries. It is hoped planning will be community-led and owned.
In addition, the $16 million Farm Business Resilience program will give farmers access to subsidised learning and development opportunities to meet these challenges.
Queensland will benefit from $4.4 million in Future Drought Fund funding for Farm Business Resilience and $1.8 million for Regional Drought Resilience Planning.
Mark Furner, Queensland Minister for Agriculture, said the Farm Business Resilience Program would benefit Queensland farm businesses in the grazing, cropping, mixed farming, sugar cane, dairy and tropical horticulture industries.
“The program has two elements; firstly, skills training will be offered for drought, climate preparedness and other business risks facing primary producers through an expansion of our Drought and Climate Adaptation Program,” Minister Furner said.
“Secondly, the Farm Management Grants Program will provide a rebate of 50% to a maximum of $2,500 to primary producers towards the cost of developing a Farm Business Resilience Plan for their property.
“The Regional Drought Resilience Program will see plans developed in key drought prone regions that rely heavily on agriculture. The program will be integrated with the regional plans being developed through the $2.7 million Queensland Strategy for Disaster Resilience.
“We’ll assist local governments to develop regional drought plans which builds on their existing resilience plans, or those under development. This approach will bring consistency around drought and natural disaster plans,” Minister Furner said.
The Australian Government has recently announced an additional $91 million funding for both programs over three 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.
The most current drought maps are available at www.longpaddock.qld.gov.au
