November 24, 2015
Farmers and fishers have until December 7 to apply for a share of $2.2 million in small grants to increase industry capacity and support the adoption of productive management practices.
The grants will support the adoption of industry-wide best practice, from the introduction of new management practices in cropping and livestock industries, to the use of new technologies in dairy, aquaculture and fisheries.
Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, and Member for Gippsland, Darren Chester, said these small grants would contribute to the overall resilience, competitiveness and productivity of the region’s agriculture and fishing industries.
Mr Chester encouraged farmers, fishers and community groups throughout Gippsland to apply for a small grant under the Coalition Government initiative.
“Adopting appropriate management practices that increase production, improve product quality and/or lower input costs also help to drive returns back through the farmgate,” Mr Chester said.
“Our farmers are some of our most dedicated conservationists and sustainable land managers. They manage pests and weeds, often at their own cost, to the benefit of the entire community. Weeds alone cost our farmers more than $3 billion every single year to control, and our farmers strive to pass on their land to future generations in a better condition than when they arrived.
Mr Joyce said the Coalition Government was committed to ensuring that Australia continued to enjoy a vibrant, innovative and competitive agriculture sector.
“These small grants will assist farmers, fishers, community groups and farming systems groups to access and share best practice in their businesses,” Mr Joyce said.
Grants between $5500 and $55,000 (GST inclusive) are available and farmers, fishers, community groups and other entities, including farming systems groups, are urged to apply.
Applications for the National Landcare Programme Sustainable Agriculture Small Grants Round 2015–16 close at 2 pm AEDT Monday 7 December. For more information and to read the grant guidelines visit: www.nrm.gov.au/agsmallgrants.
CAPTION: Federal Member for Gippsland Darren Chester is encouraging farmers and fishers to apply for grants to improve productivity.
