$55million drought pilot expansion to build farm resilience, Redman
Author: Terry Redman
Published on: 11-May-2011
The Liberal-National Government has reached an agreement with the Federal Government to extend and significantly expand the successful trial of drought reform measures.
Agriculture and Food Minister Terry Redman said the extended pilot, which would help build the resilience of farming businesses, is a major win for West Australian farmers. It would ensure social support continues to flow to those that need it and would now cover all of the South-West.
The State Government will invest $11million as part of the $55million second phase of the pilot. The $11million will comprise $8million allocated in the State Budget to enhance farming businesses with the balance being sourced from within already allocated resources.
The pilot of drought policy reform measures - designed to underpin improvements in how farm businesses and governments manage drought and other tough seasonal conditions - was announced in May 2010 and attracted a strong response from farmers.
“This is part of the State Government’s commitment to building a more profitable, dynamic and resilient farming sector which will provide long-term economic benefit to Western Australia, particularly rural and regional areas,” Mr Redman said.
The Farm Planning component attracted strong interest and enthusiasm from farmers in 2010-11, with more than 400 businesses taking part in workshops.
“Under phase two, an additional 800 farm businesses can access a more flexible training program that will give them the financial and managerial skills to make the best business decisions possible amid fluctuating markets and tough climatic conditions,” the Minister said.
“In addition, more than 650 Building Farm Businesses grants will be made available.”
Mr Redman said as a result of the impact of the severe 2010 season, more than 300 farming families were currently accessing Farm Family Support measures to put food on the table. This measure would also continue under the expanded pilot, providing vital support that would not be available under the previous Exceptional Circumstances model.
The phase two pilot area will be expanded and consists of six main components:
· Farm Planning: assistance for farmers to undertake a program of training to enhance their skills in business planning
· Building Farm Businesses: grants of up to $30,000 to help farmers better manage and prepare for future challenges
· Farm Family Support:income support to help families meet basic household needs
· Stronger Rural Communities: training for farmers and rural small business workers and professional support for small businesses supporting the rural sector
· Farm Social Support: a better co-ordinated social support network to meet mental health, counselling and social needs of farming families and rural communities
· Farm Exit Support: grants of up to $170,000 to support farmers who decide to sell their farm, including retraining and relocation expenses
The WA Government will fund and administer the Farm Planning and Stronger Rural Communities components and administer the Building Farm Businesses component with grant funds provided by the Federal Government.
The Minister said many farmers experienced one of the toughest seasons ever last year and the State Government would continue to work with them to build resilience in their businesses.
The Liberal-National Government, independently of the drought pilot, will also contribute $1.5million to the Pathways to Resilience program, which aims to improve farm profit by lifting total farm productivity for agricultural areas receiving less than 350mm annual rainfall.
“This program is about providing the technologies and management tools to build more profitable and resilient farm businesses in the low to medium rainfall areas of the WA grainbelt,” Mr Redman said.
It is expected that 2011-12 will see the rollout of workshops across the Wheatbelt that help farmers use climate management tools to assist decision making on the most profitable use of inputs.
