- Total of $29 million awarded nationally for 46 innovative drought projects
- Two projects will get underway in Toowoomba Region to better prepare for drought
- A key milestone for the Future Drought Fund Research and Adoption program
Farmers in the Toowoomba Region will benefit from a share of $29 million for projects to manage and prepare for the impacts of drought through the Morrison Joyce Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund (FDF).
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said the Drought Resilience Innovation Grants projects are a key part of the federal government’s investment in innovation to help agriculture become more resilient to future droughts.
“We want Australian farmers, and the communities that depend on them, to thrive through future droughts, so we’re funding new ideas, practices, technologies and ways of doing business,” Minister Littleproud said.
The grants were split into three categories: ideas grants, proof-of-concept grants, and innovation grants. Ideas grants and proof-of-concept grants are for good ideas that need some further development. Innovation grants are for projects ready to get underway.
Member for Groom Garth Hamilton welcomed the federal government investment in agricultural innovation in the Toowoomba Region, helping the local community and businesses prepare for future droughts.
“Two projects are being funded here in the Toowoomba Region with potential benefits for regions across the nation,” Mr Hamilton said.
“The University of Queensland project has received an innovation grant of $989,439 for a project called ‘Customising ARMonline’. The project aims to upskill growers from across Queensland and northern NSW in using existing and new functions within ARMonline to capitalise on good years and be more prepared for and resilient to the impacts of drought, through increased adaptability, productivity and profitability.
“Southern Queensland Natural Resources Management Ltd has also received a grant of $45,454.54 for a project that will record First Nations Stories about Drought and Resilience with the aim to gain insights for managing agricultural landscapes, improving environmental outcomes, and developing social resilience in rural, regional and remote agricultural-dependent communities and help mitigate the impacts of droughts and build community resilience to climate change.
“These are examples of innovative projects across Australia with the potential to deliver broad-scale agricultural change.”
For more information about Drought Resilience Innovation Grants visit: https://www.awe.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program/drought-resilience-innovation-grants
