NRM Regions Australia has welcomed the conclusion of a Farmer’s for Climate Action report that found regional NRM organisations were best placed to offer independent carbon farming extension services to farmers.
The report “Farming forever: A national plan for climate change and agriculture” launched 15 March, by a panel including Federal Minister for Agriculture Murray Watt, NRM Regions Australia CEO Dr Kate Andrews, Paringa cattle farmer Olivia Lawson, and Farmers for Climate Action Chair Charlie Prell.
The finding from the Farming Forever report has echoed other recent calls for a regional extension network of carbon farming support officers by MP Helen Hains and the National Farmers Federation.
Dr Andrews was supportive of the conclusion of the report.
“We have been calling for support for a national, carbon farming extension network based in regional NRM organisations for years. It’s no surprise to us that FCA’s study has found that farmers concerned about climate change are calling for regional NRMs to help them understand and participate in carbon farming- regional NRM organisation staff are consistently recognised as the people local landholders trust to provide independent, unbiased and tailored advice on these matters.”
Both Dr Andrews and Farmer’s for Climate Action Chair Charlie Prell also welcomed the announcement from Minister Watt that he will join with agricultural ministers from all jurisdictions to develop a national statement on climate change and agriculture.
“This national statement, a first for Australia, will present a broad and unified vision for the agricultural sector and will demonstrate that all levels of government are committed to supporting this sector to sustainably manage the impacts of climate change,” Minister Watt said.
Mr Prell said a national plan for climate change and agriculture was well overdue.
“Acting on climate change provides opportunities for agriculture to diversify income streams and continue to innovate, and delaying action is a significant risk, a substantial risk, to the long-term viability of the sector,” he said.
Mr Prell emphasised the need for plans for climate change and agriculture to be flexible.
“Any plan needs to be adaptable. We know the climate is going to change dramatically in the next 10-15 years and we need to be ready.”
Dr Andrews thinks regional NRM organisations can play a key role in supporting landholders and others to adapt to climate change challenges.
“Our people can work with landholders across Australia using spatial data and technical knowledge to develop whole-farm plans to both meet their needs and support achievement of regional goals, now and in the future. Investing through regional NRM organisations to help embed plans for increasing resilience in farming businesses will lead to more sustainable farms, stronger and more adaptable regional communities, and healthier landscapes, for decades.” she said.
NRM Regions Australia is the peak body for Australia’s 54 regional Natural resource management organisations.
Contact: Kate Andrews – [email protected] 0403604823
