Second round of smart farming grants opens
Applications are invited on the second and final round of Smart Farming Partnerships, which supports the development and uptake of sustainable agriculture tools or practices in Australia’s fisheries, aquaculture, horticulture and forestry industries.
Assistant Minister for Agriculture and Water Resources Richard Colbeck said the future of these industries relies on sustainable and smart farming practices.
Grants between $250,000 and $4 million will be available for projects that increase on-farm profitability and productivity, protect Australia’s biodiversity, protect and improve the condition of natural resources, and assist Australia to meet its obligations under relevant international treaties.
Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud said the government is looking for applications from farmers, landcare groups and universities across all agricultural industries, with projects covering issues such as soil health, pest control, farm input efficiency, indigenous involvement and climate adaptation.
Round one funded 15 projects worth $27.35 million, which are expected to be completed by April 2022.
“Through round one of the program, the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council received around $1.5 million for a project that will improve marine biodiversity outcomes in Tasmanian multi-use waterways by building on established partnerships between industry, government, NRM and landcare groups, and the community,” Colbeck said.
“This will support sustainable seafood production, natural resource management (NRM), and effective conservation and restoration of marine biodiversity in the state.
“There are also opportunities for those involved in farm forestry and agroforestry that are trialling or developing innovative technologies and methods.”
Grant applications for round two of the Smart Farming Partnerships are now open, and will close on 17 May 2019. Projects are expected to commence before the end of 2019 and be complete by 30 April 2023.
The Smart Farms Program is part of the Australian Government’s $1.1 billion National Landcare Program.
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