THE North East Catchment Management Authority (NECMA) has received funding to undertake knowledge building and practical on-ground, climate-smart agriculture activities across the North East region over the next four years.
NECMA officer Sally Day said activities that support agricultural production by improving sustainable land management and protecting and conserving natural capital and biodiversity on farms will be delivered through two grant streams.
"Groups grants of between $10,000 and $40,000 (GST exc.) will fund group-led activities that support capacity building activities, trials, demonstration sites and revegetation programs on farms," she said.
"A Landholder Incentives Program will support individual farmers to undertake practical projects to improve their farm's agricultural productivity, natural capital values and climate resilience.
"Incentives of up to $5000/ha (GST exc.) are available to support on-farm infrastructure (e.g. fencing and offstream water) required to establish vegetation, with plant and guard costs funded by the North East CMA."
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Ms Day said applications must be made separately for each stream, with expressions of interest open until 5pm, 28 April.
For more details go to https://www.necma.vic.gov.au/Projects/Current-projects/Climate-Smart-Agriculture-in-North-East-Victoria
If you would like to discuss an idea for a group project or a site on your farm contact Ms Day on 0488 576 533 or email sally.day@necma.vic.gov.au
Activities to be delivered by NECMA throughout the duration of the project will include:
- practical workshops on designing and implementing revegetation sites in the landscape (such as shelterbelts, farm dams, paddock trees and waterway sites) supporting landholders to develop plans for their revegetation sites and guidance throughout site implementation;
- supporting groups and organisations to deliver their group-led projects;
- annual forums to build the skills and capability of regional farmers and industry support staff to adapt to climate change, apply industry sustainability frameworks and/or engage in natural capital markets, specifically in relation to risk and opportunities;
- events and other communications such as videos, podcasts and fact sheets to draw together key findings from the project; and
- benchmarking of community attitudes and knowledge in sustainable land management over the course of the project and reporting on project findings at the completion of the project.
Ms Day said that as additional investment streams become available under the program, NECMA will investigate opportunities for additional funding to support the needs and interests of groups and landholders in local catchments.
