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Wheatbelt to Pilot Drought Resilience Work

Posted in: 
Climate

People working in agriculture in the Wheatbelt NRM region have an opportunity to help craft a new online drought resilience resource being produced by the Australian Government.

The South-west Western Australia Sheep-Wheat Belt, including the Wheatbelt NRM region, is one of four pilot sides across the country for a new initiative from the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.

The Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool will be an online tool enabling farmers to understand their own climate and drought risks, and self-identify improvements to increase the resilience of farming businesses.

Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu has been selected to design and deliver the tool, which will be co-designed with the help of end users to ensure a fit for purpose product that draws upon Australia’s leading science around agricultural, economic, social and environmental resilience.

A prototype is expected to be operational before June 30 2021.

Another initiative will run in parallel with this. The Climate Services for Agriculture program will enable farmers to access rusted and relevant information through an interactive, digital platform tailored to their needs.

The CSIRO and the Bureau of Meteorology will deliver the service.

They will use their specialist expertise to design the platform in collaboration with end users. This will ensure it is suited to their needs.

The South-west WA Sheep-Wheat Belt has been chosen as a pilot area also for this project and interested end users working in agriculture in the region can participate in activities running until June 2022.

This includes farmers, farm advisers and natural resource managers, as well as businesses servicing agriculture, such as agricultural suppliers and people working in business financing and banking.

Different options will be available for participation, depending on your time, interest and availability. However, access to a computer with internet connection is required. 

Once you’ve registered your interest by emailing DroughtResilience@agriculture.gov.au, they will be in touch with further details.

We will be participating in these programs and will share outcomes as they come to hand.

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