Grants of up to $4 million on offer for farmers to improve soil, vegetation and biodiversity

The farm sector can now apply for grants of up to $4 million to implement innovative and sustainable land management practices.
National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) President Fiona Simson said the grants were a part of the Federal Government’s smart farm program.
“I urge farmers and regional communities, through farming systems and natural resource management groups to put their heads together and develop project ideas covered under the program.”
Eligible works include those that address the mutual challenges of productivity and sustainability.
Ms Simson said the aim of Smart Farming Partnerships was to foster more sustainable farming through projects that focused on improving soils, vegetation and biodiversity.
Multi-year grants of between $250,000 and $4 million will be awarded.
The Smart Farming Partnership is part of the next phase of the Federal Government’s $1 billion National Landcare Program.
Ms Simson said such investment helped further Australia’s global reputation as a source of safe and sustainable food and fibre.
“The resources provided under the National Landcare Program, along with the investment made by industry and individual farmers, assist us to demonstrate real progress towards a more sustainable future.”  
In March this year, the NFF signed a Memorandum of Understanding with
Natural Resource Management Regions Australia (NRM Regions), committing both organisations to working more closely together.
“With NRM Regions Australia, the NFF continues to seek to foster new partnerships with NRM groups across the country to carry out land management initiatives that benefit both the environment and farm productivity and sustainability.”
Ms Simson said ultimately, the success of the Smart Farming Partnerships initiative would be determined by the quality of applications received.
Applications for Smart Farming Partnerships open on Thursday 19 October 2017.