Caring for our farmers who care for the land

By Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, David Littleproud

We see the best of Aussies when we face challenges. In the past few weeks we’ve seen the nation put its shoulder to the wheel to care for our farmers, while they care for their land.

Landcare has stood out both at the national and local level in backing drought-hit communities. I thank Landcare Australia for getting on the front foot with their Drought Relief Appeal: Care for those that Care for the Land, and for everyone who has contributed.

Landcare works because it’s run by local people with local knowhow to improve land, soils, vegetation and biodiversity. I’m proud to back our local Landcare groups to do this.

While Landcare isn’t a drought program, it makes Aussie farms more resilient.

Around 60 per cent of Australia’s land mass is used for agriculture. We’ve got to farm this land sustainably so our children and our grandchildren can farm it too.

Over the next five years we will use local Landcare knowledge and skill to deliver projects across the country that will improve agriculture and the environment.

The next phase of Landcare uses new technology and smart ideas to make farming more sustainable – and increase farm profit. We’re rolling out Smart Farms Small Grants and Smart Farming Partnerships to cattle, grain, fruit and veg and dairy farmers.

We’re backing large partnerships between farmers with researchers to benefit Queensland sugar growers, WA graziers and to get on-farm weather forecasting started in NSW.

Now the second phase of the National Landcare Program is being rolled out. Some $450 million will go into Regional Land Partnerships, and approximately $32 million for the first round of grants for the Smart Farms Small Grants and Smart Farming Partnerships.

We’re investing up to $100,000 each in more than 70 small projects for soil health, weed control, water security, climate smart farming, bee friendly farms and bushfire response.

The story of agriculture in Australia is a good one – just add rain. During dry times the Coalition Government and Landcare Australia will stand shoulder-to-shoulder with farmers and rural communities.

I’m also proud the government will help fund the 2018 National Landcare Conference and Awards. I hope we’ll all be talking about good spring rains when we meet in Brisbane this October for the Conference and concentrating on how Landcare has been helping communities recover through sustainable agriculture.