- Part of the $134 million over six years for the Smart Farm grants through the next phase of the Coalition Government's $1 billion National Landcare Program.
- Smart Farming Partnerships are multi-year grants of between $250,000 and $4 million for groups of organisations—applications open on 19 October and close 21 December 2017.
The National Landcare Program's new Smart Farming Partnerships is offering multi-year grants of between $250,000 and $4 million to put in place new and innovative sustainable land management practices, which protect and improve the condition of soils, vegetation and biodiversity. Grant details here.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, called for groups of skilled organisations and individuals in the agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and farm forestry industries to come together to apply for the $60 million Smart Farming Partnerships, which open on Thursday, 19 October.
"The Smart Farming Partnerships will support the development, trialling and implementation of next generation sustainable farming, forestry and fishing practices," Minister Joyce said.
"The Coalition Government supports innovation and these partnership grants will get behind larger projects and support the formation of effective partnerships between experienced and skilled organisations and individuals.
"The grants will help groups of organisations to come up with, or take advantage of the next great idea, the benefits of which can be shared across the sector.
"Having healthy and productive soils, biodiversity and vegetation benefits farmers, communities and consumers."
Under the program these partnerships will:
develop, trial and implement new and innovative tools that protect and improve the condition of natural resources (in particular soils and vegetation)
support productive and profitable agriculture, fishing, aquaculture and farm forestry industries
protect Australia's biodiversity
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, said the Coalition Government has just finished a productive round of community consultations to help inform the next six years of the National Landcare Program.
"National community consultation sessions have wrapped up this week, attended by over 350 people, giving us great foundations for the next phase of the National Landcare Program," Minister Hartsuyker said.
"'Farming smarter' is the mantra for the next round of Landcare projects—helping organisations and individuals to put their heads together to develop innovative sustainable agriculture practices.
"I encourage interested organisations to visit www.nrm.gov.au for more information on the grants and how to apply."
Fast facts
- The Coalition Government is investing more than $1 billion for the next phase of the National Landcare Program, including the $100 million additional funding allocated in the December 2016 MYEFO.
- The National Landcare Program is increasing the uptake of more sustainable land management practices, with more than 9.5 million hectares of land managed to improve natural resources with complementary environmental, agricultural productivity and social outcomes.
- Landcare is protecting iconic places and threatened plants and animals, with more than 450 projects helping to protect these important environmental assets.
