Three Parkes electorate-based farming bodies will share in more than $465,000 in Australian government funding to help improve the natural resource management and agricultural landscapes.

Condobolin and District Landcare Management Committee Incorporated, Dryland Cotton Research Association and Western Landcare NSW Incorporated are the three local groups receiving funding through the $13.4 million Future Drought Fund’s Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said this will help agricultural organisations to adapt their practices and enhance farming systems.

Mr Littleproud hopes this will result in increased drought resilience.

“Future droughts are inevitable, and while Australian farmers are well accustomed to climate variability, climate change is increasing the importance of managing drought risk,” he said.

Mr Littleproud said the grant will support tangible projects that will help to address drought-related problems.

These projects will feature a strong focus on local engagement, with training conducted through face-to-face workshops, field days and small group training sessions.

Federal Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, has welcomed the funding.

He says each of the local projects being supported will help mitigate the impact of future droughts.

“Effective risk management at the farm and regional level can go a long way in helping to drought-proof our region,” Mr Coulton said.

“Western Landcare NSW has received $200,000 to go towards a project partnering farmers in arid NSW with researchers and practitioners to demonstrate, learn and share their rangeland rehydration journey. It’s all about building capacity, adaptation, and landscape transformation.

“Dryland Cotton Research Association (DCRA) has been awarded $198,500 for a project to enhance drought resilience in dryland farming systems by incorporating novel minimum soil disturbance techniques.

“Condobolin and District Landcare Management Committee will establish a resilient grazing support group with $66,894 in funding.

“These innovative projects will ensure our agricultural landscapes can adapt and regenerate into the future.”

Mr Coulton recently met with DCRA president Ian Gourley and Dr Guy Roth, director Northern Region

Agriculture at the University of Sydney’s Narrabri campus, to announce the grant.

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