Cotton farmers in St George will share in a $50,000 boost through the Federal Government’s Smart Farms Small Grants program, to undertake sustainability projects, Maranoa MP David Littleproud announced.
“St George is a huge and diverse agricultural producer and it’s exciting to see more innovative practices being implemented by its cotton farmers,” Mr Littleproud said.
“Through Cotton Australia, St George producers will be some of the 40 farmers in Northern Australia who benefit from sustainability projects.
“They’ll access resources through an online portal to implement natural resource management practices that benefit their farming practices and the land they work.
“Australian agriculture has a long history of early adoption of innovation – the ingenuity of our farmers never ceases to amaze me.
“Farmers have always looked after the land and we are giving them a helping hand through this grants program to adopt best practice natural resource management methods.”
With grants ranging up to $50,000 in Round Three of the Smart Farms Small Grants program, 113 projects have been funded to help equip farmers with new skills and knowledge to improve sustainability and their bottom line.
Within Maranoa, cotton farmers in Goondiwindi and Dalby will also take part in the program.
Total Federal Government investment in Round Three of Smart Farms Small Grants is $5 million.
Grants have been given to farming and landcare groups for projects related to sustainable farming education, pest management, improving soil health, agroforestry and more.
For more information on the Smart Farms Small Grants program visit: agriculture.gov.au
Key Facts:
- Smart Farms Small Grants is part of the Federal Government’s Smart Farms program – a key initiative of phase two of the National Landcare program
- Smart Farms Small Grants is a $43.5 million grants program (six annual rounds)
- Round 3 projects must be completed by 30 June 2022
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