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Continued Funding for Soil Health supports farmers and communities on ground

The eight Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs have welcomed the Australian Government’s announcement of grant funded soil health projects through the National Heritage Trust's $302.1 million Climate-Smart Agriculture Program. This investment includes a $6.2 million commitment to continue the national network of Regional Soils Coordinators who support the delivery of integrated and targeted soils services to farmers and communities, broker partnerships with industry and stakeholders and provide networks for researchers, primary producers, First Nations peoples and community groups to work together.

SQNNSW Innovation Hub Director, Professor John McVeigh, said the funding extension was significant as it would enable the universities and grower groups to maintain their Regional Soils Coordinators, who have played a pivotal role in promoting soil health and climate-smart sustainable agriculture approaches across Australia.

“The role of the eight Regional Soils Coordinators is essential for addressing the unique agricultural challenges faced by farmers and landholders in each region."

“The Regional Soils Coordinators are hosted through the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs,  which are closely linked to universities, grower groups, and natural resource management groups. This allows for a coordinated national approach.

“This network will focus on the sustainability of soils, agricultural productivity, and addressing local issues, ultimately meeting the National Soil Strategy goals of prioritising soil health and strengthen soil knowledge and capability.

SQNNSW Innovation Hub Regional Soils Coordinator, Cameron Leckie, said “the extension of this program highlights the importance of soil and soil extension work across the country. This will enable us to continue to support primary producers to gain a healthier understanding of soil and improve soil management for greater productivity and sustainability.”

“As has been identified in the Gap Analysis developed for the first round of the Regional Soil Coordinator Soils Program, there are significant gaps in soil capacity across the region.  Extension of this role will be important in helping to address those gaps”, Cameron said.

The continued funding will enable the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs to further their mission of supporting local agricultural communities through workshops, forums, and direct engagement with farmers to inform best practice management, decision-making and future investment. 

For more information visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/agriculture-land/farm-food-drought/natural-resources/landcare/climate-smart