THE Mallee Catchment Management Authority has welcomed a $2.1 million boost to an agriculture program aimed at working with dryland farmers to support sustainability, productivity and profitability under a variable and changing climate.
Mallee Sustainable Agriculture Services, supported by funding from the Natural Heritage Trust under the Climate-Smart Agriculture Program is a four-year project focused on maintaining groundcover at the level required to protect the region’s vulnerable soils.
Delivered through Mallee CMA, in partnership with Agriculture Victoria, Birchip Cropping Group and Mallee Sustainable Farming, the program aims to support farmers across the region continue to adopt sustainable agriculture practices.
Project delivery will focus on two key drivers of groundcover and associated soil health outcomes in low rainfall cropping systems; stubble and legume management, while also monitoring how current management practices are influencing groundcover levels across the region.
Mallee CMA chief executive Jenny Collins said the aim of the program is to work alongside Mallee farmers to “identify alternative or modified practices that provide for productivity and soil health improvements regardless of the season”.
The Federal Government announced more than $76 million in funding to 54 projects across the country last week.
Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Minister Julie Collins said many farmers and landowners want to be more sustainable … or who have already started on their sustainability journey, but need some support or guidance.
“This is why our government’s significant investment in farmers and landholders being announced … is so important,” Ms Collins said.
“These measures will help make farming more productive and profitable, better protect our environment, increase access to markets, strengthen our rural communities and further contribute to global food security.
“Adapting to climate change can help our farmers to reduce their costs, improve profits and look after the country for future generations.”
