Strengthening South Australia’s agricultural resilience through expanded support programs
South Australian farmers and producers impacted by drought will receive a significant boost with $30 million in funding to strengthen farm business and regional resilience programs.
The funding will extend the reach and impact of the Farm Business Resilience Program and the Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program until 2029. These programs are designed to equip farmers and regional communities with the skills, knowledge, and resources to manage challenging conditions and prepare for long-term resilience.
The Farm Business Resilience Program, which is sector-led in South Australia, offers tailored, industry-specific training to ensure its relevance to farmers’ needs. Since its inception, the program has supported over 3,600 primary producers through more than 540 training activities, workshops, and events. Additionally, over 500 farm business plans have been created or updated, helping participants enhance their business strategies and preparedness.
New funding will build on this success by expanding the program to include more farmers and sectors, ensuring broader access to its benefits. This expansion will enable even more producers to develop essential skills and plans to navigate difficult circumstances effectively.
The Regional Drought Resilience Planning Program has also made significant progress. Six regional partnerships have developed drought resilience plans for key areas, including the Murraylands, Riverland, Northern and Yorke, Far North and Outback, Limestone Coast, Eyre Peninsula, and Adelaide Hills, Fleurieu, and Kangaroo Island. These plans focus on identifying and addressing the unique challenges faced by each region. With the additional funding, these regions will now have the opportunity to implement their plans through grants for drought resilience projects.
Funding will also provide support for refining and governing these plans, ensuring they remain effective and adaptable to changing conditions. The Farm Business Resilience and Regional Drought Resilience Planning Programs are jointly funded by the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund and the Government of South Australia.
This collaboration underscores a commitment to supporting farmers and regional communities in building resilience against the challenges posed by drought and climate change. By equipping farmers with the tools to manage risks and plan for the future, these programs aim to strengthen the agricultural sector’s ability to withstand adversity and thrive in the long term. Renewed funding ensures that this vital support will continue, helping South Australia’s farming communities prepare for a more resilient future.
South Australian Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development, Clare Scriven MLC stated, “The South Australian Government announced a $15.4 million investment in these two programs as part of the $73 million Drought Support Package in April this year and we are pleased to have secured matched funding from the Australian Government’s Future Drought Fund. Drought and the impacts of climate change are becoming increasingly challenging for our primary industry sectors, associated industries and the regional communities that support them. The ongoing work to support building farm business and regional resilience and preparedness to deal with such events is a priority for the South Australian Government.”
