The Tasmanian Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub is playing a critical role providing support for farmers and producers across the state, with support from the Albanese Labor Government.
The Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins, visited the Hub today to discuss this important work.
The TAS Farm Innovation Hub, as it is better known, has been providing support for farmers and producers to be more prepared, no matter what stage of the drought cycle they are in.
While the TAS Farm Innovation Hub works to improve longer term farm resilience and drought readiness, its importance has been brought into sharp focus during the dry weather across much of Tasmania, particularly in the North West and Bass Strait Islands.
The Hub mobilised to deliver 16 workshops across the state on drought management, community cohesion during economic stress, and the in-drought support available through other Australian Government programs for farmers and rural communities.
The content of the workshops was tailored to each region, and helped farmers make informed decisions to support their businesses during difficult circumstances.
The TAS Farm Innovation Hub is one of 8 hubs nationwide.
The Government's Future Drought Fund has supported the Tas Farm Innovation Hub with $11.5 million invested directly in Tasmania from 2021 until 30 June 2026.
As part of the recent budget announcements, the Government has committed a further $132 million to the drought hub model.
You can find out more at TAS Farm Innovation Hub - Growing climate resilient communities (tasfarmhub.com.au), Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au), or have your say on the future of the drought hubs here: Future Drought Fund Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs Review - Agriculture hub.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, Julie Collins MP:
"The hubs play an important role in making sure our rural communities are prepared for the next drought.
"The TAS Farm Innovation Hub was quick off the mark to let farmers know what they could do to shore up their businesses and access support, which underscores the importance of these hubs.
"I encourage farmers to look at how they can drought-proof their properties, and their local drought hub is an excellent place to start."
