Drought Resilience grants – encouraging innovation

The Liberal Nationals Government is investing in organisations, farmer groups and individuals with innovative ideas to build drought resilience through improved Natural Resource Management (NRM) with grants of up to $200,000.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud has announced applications are now open for the $10 million grants component of the Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program.

“Grants of between $20,000 and $200,000 are available for delivery of a range of on-ground activities that build drought resilience,” Minister Littleproud said.

“Through the adoption of new technology and innovative practices, this program will deliver a range of on-ground outcomes achieving benefits that meet farmers’ priorities and contribute to landscape-scale drought resilience in agriculture dependent communities.

“For example, innovative projects that regenerate and maintain groundcover can deliver drought resilience by improving the soil’s water infiltration and storage capacity, reducing run-off and associated water and wind erosion.

“The Natural Resource Management Drought Resilience Program forms part of the first round of investments the Australian Government is making through the $5 billion Future Drought Fund to help farmers better prepare for dry times.

“These projects will continue to deliver lasting benefits, even during the good years, by helping to lift the productivity and profitability of the agriculture sector and enhance the health and sustainability of our farming landscapes.”

Interested organisations, farmer groups and individuals can now apply via the Community Grants Hub link.

Applications close 30 October 2020.

Further details on each program are available here.