Boost to help farmers into the future announced in Narrabri

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud visited Narrabri on Monday to announce the federal government will provide $9 million through the Future Drought Fund to “put boots on the ground in regional Australia and give farmers practical assistance applying the latest in drought resilience innovation and technology”.

Northern NSW and Southern Queensland Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub will receive more than $1 million for adoption officers to drive uptake in drought resilience on the region’s farms.

This is on top of $2.5 million to expand innovation outcomes for the region beyond drought.

Mr Littleproud was joined at Monday’s press conference by federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton, Local Land Services team leader – agriculture Dale Kirby and director of the SQNNSW Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub Dr John McVeigh.

LLS and NSW DPI have been partners in the hub, actively supporting the adoption of drought resilience.

Mr Littleproud said the hubs are part of the Australian government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund and the centrepiece of the $121.06 million program to harness innovation and drive the adoption of new drought-resilient technologies and practices.

“Locals know their communities and needs better than anyone. The adoption officers supporting the hub here will help farmers adopt new technologies and practices to prepare for future drought,” he said.

“A national network of adoption officers helps increase the sustainability, productivity, and profitability of the entire industry.

“The extra $2.5 million funding boost will mean the hubs and their key stakeholders can identify activities under the National Agricultural Innovation Agenda targeting exports, climate resilience, biosecurity, and digital agriculture for their region.

“The hubs are about the future of agriculture and our regions, preparing for drought, growing the industry through innovation, creating new jobs in agriculture, and strengthening communities.”

Federal Member for Parkes Mark Coulton said the funding is expected to support the creation of two to three adoption officer positions in the Northern NSW/Southern QLD region.

“The hub will have the flexibility to decide how best to place adoption officers to support local farmers and communities to prepare for future drought,” Mr Coulton said.

“Adoption officers will drive the innovation in drought resilience technologies and practices on farms here in Northern NSW.

“Activities under the National Agricultural Innovation Agenda will include demonstration sites, so farmers can see new tools and practices in action on-farm, connect with innovators, and begin building their capability and productivity.

“One of the things we know is that the best way to handle a drought is to be prepared,” said Mr Coulton.

“This is just another tool in the armoury to prepare this region.”

Mr Littleproud said agriculture was “sexy again” and it was time to make it easier and more attractive for youth to return to the regions.

“It’s time now that we’re investing in our young people,” he said.

“We’ve lost generations of young people from rural and regional Australia.

“It’s time to square up, and to get them home, and you’ve got to give them a career pathway and this is an opportunity,” he said.

“This is an investment back into the agricultural sector, modernising and getting back to core principles.”

The government said the hubs were established through the Future Drought Fund, creating networks of researchers, farmers and community groups focused on getting their region ready for drought.

An independent advisory committee provides oversight across the hubs, supporting them to become interconnected agricultural precincts.

The government said eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs are in regional areas that reflect the key agricultural and climatic zones across the country: Southern NSW, Southern Queensland/Northern NSW, South-West WA, Victoria, Northern WA/NT, Tropical North Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.