Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Joe Ludwig, released the Caring for our Country Sustainable Agriculture Strategic Directions document while in Western Australia.
The Minister was visiting a grape grower in Belhus in the Swan Valley who received funds under the first phase of Caring for our Country.
The funds were directed toward improving nutrient management and irrigation efficiencies, fostering an understanding of fertiliser use and leaching into the Swan River by landholders in the Perth region.
“Caring for our Country is a flagship program that is already delivering benefits to our rural communities,” Minister Ludwig said.
“I’m pleased to release the aims and directions of the new Caring for our Country Sustainable Agriculture Stream, which will help stakeholders and grant applicants benefit from the next phase of Caring for our Country.
“The new Caring for our Country Sustainable Agriculture stream is good news for farmers and land managers. It will also help community groups, regional natural resource management groups; Indigenous groups and industry bodies to undertake key natural resource management projects which make important contributions to sustainable farm and fisheries practices.
“Caring for our Country’s Sustainable Agriculture stream will continue to build on the Gillard Government’s legacy of protecting and conserving our biodiversity and promoting the adoption of sustainable farm practices.”
Minister Ludwig said the strategic aims of the program are to:
• promote sustainable production of food
• promote innovation in Australian agriculture and fisheries practices
• reduce the impact of weeds and pests on agriculture
• improve management of agriculture and fisheries
• foster a skilled and capable Landcare community.
“Over the long term, the Agriculture stream aims to achieve an environment that is healthier, better protected, well managed and resilient.”
Minister Ludwig said this will be achieved through a mix of investment approaches, including community grants, regional delivery and strategic investments.
“This is part of the Government’s 20–year vision for the future of agriculture where Australia’s agricultural lands support and maintain clean water, biodiversity and healthy soils, while continuously improving food and fibre productivity,” Minister Ludwig said.
Work is progressing on the second phase of Caring for our Country and further information on the program including grants rounds, funding allocations for regional delivery and regional Landcare facilitators will be announced shortly.
