$2m to help adapt to climate change

Farmers adopting climate-smart sustainable practices can now be helped through 54 projects nationwide after $76 million in funding was announced by the Albanese government on Tuesday, 22 July. The projects include one managed by Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority (CMA) which will receive more than $2 million to deliver nature-based environmental services for sustainable agriculture. The project will help improve soil health, strengthen natural capital, and ensure the long-term viability of local farming. Many of the projects awarded are in regions that are experiencing, or are prone to, droughts or floods, with 17 supporting climate adaptation. Senator Jana Stewart said the project was a win for both the local community and regional Victoria. “As someone who grew up in regional Victoria, I know how important it is to back our farmers,” Sen Stewart said. “This…investment will directly support farmers in the Goulburn Valley to take on climate-smart practices that protect our natural environment while keeping local agriculture strong.” Goulburn Broken CMA CEO Carl Walters said the authority's project 'Nature Services for Ag' will adopt sustainable natural resource management practices that protect and conserve natural capital and biodiversity. He said natural capital is the environmental features of a farm or landscape that have economic value or provide services to people. "These include soil, water, remnant native vegetation, environmental plantings, pollinators, and predators, which can support production, shade and shelter for stock, or climate modification," Mr Walters said. The Nature Services for Ag project aims to build on local knowledge, including soil condition improvement, productive land management, and incentives for shade and shelter and farm dam enhancement through revegetation and fencing. "Planned actions include working one-on-one and with small groups, (and) with community and farming groups to discuss soil management practices using on-farm walks, soil testing, and technical workshops. "The project will fund multiple demonstration trials to showcase improved land management practices through the application of test solutions by industry, farming, and Landcare groups." The project will also enable on-ground implementation of grazing management change, revegetation of shade and shelterbelts, integrated pest management in viticultural properties, and protection and enhancement of farm dams. We look forward to working with local farmers and landholders across the catchment to implement this project and achieve positive outcomes for them and the environment. Federal minister for agriculture, fisheries, and forestry Julie Collins said adapting to climate change would help farmers reduce their costs. “I have met so many farmers and landowners who want to be more sustainable, or who have already started on their sustainability journey, but need some support or guidance,” Ms Collins said. “These measures will help make farming more productive and profitable, better protect our environment, increase access to markets, strengthen our rural communities, and further contribute to global food security. The projects are funded under the Natural Heritage Trust’s Climate-Smart Agriculture Program and will seek to build on local knowledge, targeting what is most needed, from improving soil health, combatting land degradation and improving water-use efficiency to farm-management planning and revegetation. The Climate-Smart Agriculture Program runs from 2023 to 2028. For more information, visit agriculture.gov.au/climate-smart

$2m to help adapt to climate change

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