Farmers, fishermen, community and industry groups can apply for grants of between $5000 and $100,000 to assist them to protect and improve the condition of soil, vegetation and biodiversity and support agricultural systems to adapt to change.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources, Barnaby Joyce, called for applications for the $50 million Smart Farms Small Grants, through the National Landcare Program, which opens today.
“Our farmers take immense pride in managing their land to ensure they can pass on productive and healthy land to the next generation of farmers,” Minister Joyce said.
“Significant technological advances are taking place in land management and the Smart Farms Small Grants will provide grant funding to develop and extend new tools, methods and technology for farmers to continue to be at the forefront of land management.
“Our farmers manage 61 per cent of Australia’s land and have a long-held reputation for sustainable and innovative land management. These Smart Farms Small Grants will help farmers to come up with, or take advantage of the next great idea.”
The grants will protect and improve the condition of natural resources, increase land managers’ awareness of tools and management practices that will deliver productive and profitable industries, protect Australia’s biodiversity and assist Australia to meet its obligations under relevant international treaties.
Assistant Minister to the Deputy Prime Minister, Luke Hartsuyker, said the projects supported by a Smart Farms Small Grant can make a real difference to local communities and deliver results that will be beneficial for farmers and consumers.
“I strongly encourage people who have a good idea about how to improve soils, vegetation and biodiversity in their communities to apply for one of these small grants and make that idea a reality,” Minister Hartsuyker said.
“These Smart Farms Small Grants support the adoption of on-the-ground innovative practices that improve the management and quality of our natural resources and increase on-farm productivity.”
For more information visit www.nrm.gov.au
