Investing in Maranoa’s smart farmers

March 10, 2021

The Australian Government continues to back farmers in Maranoa by helping them adopt the next generation of sustainable farming practices through Smart Farms Small Grants.

Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management and Federal Member for Maranoa, David Littleproud today announced two Maranoa groups would share in $6.48 million funding to carry out activities that increase farm productivity and boost natural resource management.

“I am excited to see the Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group and Goondiwindi Regional Council will receive a combined $135,000 under the fourth round of Smart Farms Small Grants,” Minister Littleproud said.

“This investment encourages clever ideas and goes directly to the grass roots, empowering locals to deliver benefits for their communities and natural resources.

“The Goondiwindi Regional Council will receive $80,000 to help restore grazing land productivity and resilience, by incorporating Traditional fire knowledge and practice into grazing land management.

“On the Southern Downs, Condamine Headwaters Landcare Group will take regenerative agriculture to the next level, thank to a $55,000 investment.

“The funding will help the group to deliver a down-to-earth, practical, how-to demonstration and implementation of relevant and effective regenerative agriculture methods in Southern Downs mixed farming systems.”

Minister Littleproud said our farmers produce the best food and fibre in the world because of their ingenuity, resilience and incredible work ethic.

“They have always looked after the land and this program supports their continued environmental stewardship by backing clever ideas that deliver good on-ground results,” Minister Littleproud said.

“The Australian Government is investing almost $6.5 million through the fourth round of Smart Farms Small Grants towards a diverse range of local projects across Australia.”

“They aim to improve environmental, economic and social outcomes through better sustainability, productivity, and profitability in the food, fibre and forestry industries.

“This is a key National Landcare Program initiative and part of the Australian Government’s commitment to helping industry towards its target of growing the sector to $100 billion by 2030.”

Fast Facts:

• The Smart Farms program is the key agriculture portfolio initiative under phase two of the $1.1 billion National Landcare Program.
• The program comprises the Smart Farming Partnerships, Smart Farms Small Grants and Building Landcare Community and Capacity grant programs.
• To date, including this fourth funding round, Smart Farms Small Grants has funded a total of 384 projects to the value of $25.5 million.
• An additional two rounds of Smart Farms Small Grants are anticipated with funding of up to $18 million.
• The government is investing almost $6.5 million funding 84 projects through the fourth round of Smart Farms Small Grants towards a diverse range of local projects across Australia. Grants were available for between $5,000 and $100,000 for farmers, fishers and community groups.
• For more details visit the Australian Government investment in Landcare webpage here.