The Australian government has announced A$6.3m in funding to assist the nation’s primary producers to adapt to climate change, with a number of major grants going towards horticulture.
The funding is part of the FarmReady Industry Grants scheme, and supports projects seeking to adapt to and mitigate climate change.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Tony Burke said the government was working to help Australia’s primary industries cope with climate change, including increased self-reliance and preparedness.
“We recognise that we need to act now to help make our primary industries more resilient – because no-one will feel the effects of climate change more than our farmers,” he said in a press release.
“These grants are designed to ensure research makes it from the lab to the farm.”
The scope of the 46 projects taking part in the scheme cover such issues as pipfruit chilling hours, the capacity of organic producers, cherry growers and berry growers to deal with climate change, soil microbe health, more efficient water use and salinity management.
The government will call for submissions in a second round of grants later this year.
