- Indi to share in $6.48 million Smart Farms Small Grants funding
- Projects focus on supporting Australian farmers to adopt innovative practices that increase farm productivity, profitability and protection of natural resources management
The Liberal and Nationals Government continues to back farmers in north-east Victoria by helping them adopt the next generation of sustainable farming practices through Smart Farms Small Grants.
Seven organisations will share in $6.48 million funding to carry out activities that increase farm productivity and boost natural resource management.
They include:
- $80,000 for AgBis Assist Ltd to help wine growers manage recovery, risk and resilience in the Wangaratta and Indigo shires.
- $99,500 for Burgoigee Creek Landcare Group Inc for a Climate Smart Farming for the Future project in the Wangaratta and Indigo shires.
- $99,600 for Charles Sturt University for raise awareness on benefits of dung beetles with producers across NSW and Victoria including two projects in the Towong and Alpine shires.
- $63,655 for a similar project on dung beetles by Landcare Victoria in the Wangaratta, Indigo and Towong shires.
- $79,600 for the Ovens Landcare Network for sustainable on-ground solutions in the Wangaratta and Alpine shires.
- $95,800 for the Wodonga Urban Landcare Network for a Growing Healthy Hectares North East project.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said our farmers produce the best food and fibre in the world because of their ingenuity, resilience and incredible work ethic.
“They have always looked after the land and this program supports their continued environmental stewardship by backing clever ideas that deliver good on-ground results,” Minister Littleproud said.
“The Australian Government is investing almost $6.5 million through the fourth round of Smart Farms Small Grants towards a diverse range of local projects across Australia.”
“They aim to improve environmental, economic and social outcomes through better sustainability, productivity, and profitability in the food, fibre and forestry industries.”
Wodonga-Based Senator McKenzie said she was excited by the great ideas put forward by the successful local applicants under Smart Farms Small Grants.
“This investment encourages clever ideas and goes directly to the grass roots, empowering locals to deliver benefits for their communities and natural resources,” she said.
“This is a key National Landcare Program initiative and part of our government’s commitment to helping industry towards its target of growing the sector to $100 billion by 2030.”
Fast Facts:
- The Smart Farms program is the key agriculture portfolio initiative under phase two of the $1.1 billion National Landcare Program.
- The program comprises the Smart Farming Partnerships, Smart Farms Small Grants and Building Landcare Community and Capacity grant programs.
- To date, including this fourth funding round, Smart Farms Small Grants has funded a total of 384 projects to the value of $25.5 million.
- An additional two rounds of Smart Farms Small Grants are anticipated with funding of up to $18 million.
- The government is investing almost $6.5 million funding 84 projects through the fourth round of Smart Farms Small Grants towards a diverse range of local projects across Australia. Grants were available for between $5,000 and $100,000 for farmers, fishers and community groups.
For more details visit the Australian Government investment in Landcare webpage here.