Plan to create road map to better soil

Federal Water Resources Minister David Littleproud believes $850,000 in government investments will benefit farmers across Australia.

Mr Littleproud said the Federal Government would provide $550,000 for projects to improve soil quality and a further $300,000 to encourage farmers to take up modern technology and farming practices.

Mr Littleproud said the money would help put grower groups and natural resource managers in contact with Australia’s leading researchers.

“Soil is a precious resource for farmers and this will help them protect and improve it,” he said.

“We’re investing $466,650 over two years to help educate 36 grower groups and natural resource managers in soil knowledge, and help them take that out to even more farmers.

“Members of this national network will share what they learn with one another so local solutions can have national benefits.

“A further $100,000 will be invested in having Soil Science Australia create a road map to better soils.

“The road map will look for ways to boost the capacity of our soils so they can retain more nutrients and good bacteria.

“Good soils also retain water longer, which makes a big difference in seasons with low rainfall.”

Mr Littleproud said encouraging modern agricultural practices would also provide benefits.

“We need the results of our research to be taken up by farmers to keep them at the cutting edge,” he said.

“We also need the good ideas which come from our research to be converted into products farmers can buy and tools they can use.

“The truth is Australia could do a lot better in getting farmers to take up new ideas, tools and practices – uptake levels are relatively low.”