A new 'Drought Hub' will be established in South Australia to help better prepare farmers for drought and improve resilience with the Marshall Liberal Government contributing $4.4 million.
The South Australian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub will be headquartered at University of Adelaide's Roseworthy campus and supported by five nodes throughout regional South Australia at Minnipa, Port Augusta, Orroroo, Loxton and Struan.
The SA Drought Hub is being led by the University of Adelaide and was developed in partnership with the Morrison Coalition Government and the three South Australian universities.
Minister for Primary Industries and Regional Development David Basham said the Drought Hub will bring together research and expertise to help increase drought resilience and preparedness for South Australian farmers.
"Significant parts of South Australia have suffered through drought in recent years and setting up the Drought Hub is an important step in helping our farmers be as prepared as possible for future dry conditions," Minister Basham said.
"Our primary producers are the backbone of the state's economy and when drought hits there is a ripple effect that impacts individual farmers, families and regional communities.
"The Hub concept is a great example of collaboration between government, industry and research and education sectors to help improve drought resilience across the state.
"The SA Drought Hub and the five support nodes are located across the state in pastoral, low, medium and high rainfall zones to help make them as accessible as possible.
"The Hub will provide outcomes that support South Australia's primary producers, and the regional communities that depend upon them.
"It will link all industry sectors from grains, crops and livestock, to horticulture and viticulture, to provide broad resilience and innovation support across the state.
"The Marshall Liberal Government will continue to work constructively with industry and the Commonwealth Government to ensure drought assistance is targeted and effective."
The South Australian Drought Hub will receive $8 million funding over four years from the Commonwealth Government's $5 billion
Future Drought Fund, with an additional contribution of $11.47 million cash and in-kind support from project partners.
The Marshall Liberal Government will contribute $2 million in cash and $2.4 million in-kind support to the Hub over four years.
As part of this concept, South Australian Government agricultural research farms at Minnipa, Loxton and Struan will be used as hub nodes.
