$50m to help land managers farm smarter
FARMERS, fishers, community and industry groups can apply for grants of between $5,000 and $100,000 to assist them to protect and improve the condition of soil, vegetation and biodiversity and support agricultural systems to adapt to change.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, called for applications for the competitive $50 million Smart Farms Small Grants, through the National Landcare Program, which opens on 24 October 2017.
"Our farmers take immense pride in managing their land to ensure they can pass on productive and healthy land to the next generation of farmers," Minister Joyce said.
"Significant technological advances are taking place in land management and the Smart Farms Small Grants will provide grant funding to develop and extend new tools, methods and technology for farmers to continue to be at the forefront of land management.
Under the program these grants will:
- protect and improve the condition of natural resources (in particular soils and vegetation and biodiversity)
- increase land managers' awareness, knowledge, capability and adoption of tools and management practices that will deliver productive and profitable agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and farm forestry industries
- protect Australia's biodiversity
- assist Australia to meet its obligations under relevant international treaties.
"Our farmers manage 61 percent of Australia's land and have a long-held reputation for sustainable and innovative land management. These Smart Farms Small Grants will help farmers to come up with, or take advantage of the next great idea."
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, said the projects supported by a Smart Farms Small Grant can make a real difference to local communities and deliver results that will be beneficial for farmers and consumers.
"I strongly encourage people who have a good idea about how to improve soils, vegetation and biodiversity in their communities to apply for one of these small grants and make that idea a reality," Minister Hartsuyker said.
"These Smart Farms Small Grants support the adoption of on‑the-ground innovative practices that improve the management and quality of our natural resources and increase on-farm productivity."
Fast facts
- The Coalition Government is investing more than $1 billion for the next phase of the National Landcare Program.
- In Australia, there are around 5400 Landcare groups and 100,000 active volunteers in those groups.
- Over 80 percent of Australian farmers are involved in Landcare. $50m is part of the $134 million over six years for the Smart Farms Program through the next phase of the $1 billion National Landcare Program.
- Smart Farms Small Grants are available between $5,000 and $100,000—applications for Round One opened 24 October and close 7 December 2017.