Severe Drought Hits Aussie Farmers Hard
The worst drought in living memory is sweeping parts of eastern Australia, leaving farmers struggling to cope and asking questions about their future.
Record-low rainfall in some regions and successive seasons of above-average temperatures have blighted vast tracts of Australia’s grazing and crop land.
While droughts are common in Australia, climate scientists say climate change is expected to cause longer and more intense droughts as well as greater extremes of temperature.
While the weather has improved in parts of Western Australia, winter rain has gone missing across much of the country’s east, leaving farmers praying for rain after planting seed in dry soil or culling cattle and sheep they can no longer afford to feed.
New South Wales, which just recorded its fifth-driest July on record, has been hardest hit. About 99 per cent of the state which accounts for a quarter of Australia’s agricultural output by value - is now officially in drought. The government on Sunday announced a A$190 million (FJ$297.2m) aid package for drought-afflicted farmers. Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull announced the funding which will give farmers in need lump sum payments and support mental health initiatives and community groups.
“These are very exceptional circumstances and it’s important that we react and respond with the support that farmers need,” Mr Turnbull told reporters. The announcement will provide households up to A$12,000 (FJ$ 18,771.86) in additional lump-sum payments for couples.
The first payment will be made on the first day of next month, and the second on March 1 next year, said.
The National Farmers’ Federation welcomed the news.
Reuters