Federal budget: $302m for greener farming profits to benefit Far North growers

The Federal Agriculture Minister visited a Cairns cane grower today and announced a $302m project to help farmers reap the rewards of greener farming practices.

The federal government has announced $302m over five years to a Climate Smart Agriculture package. Right to left; Terrain soil landcare project leader Sally Fields, Soil health leader Jorg Edsen, Minister Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt, and cane grower Mark Savina.

The Federal Agriculture Minister visited a Cairns cane grower on Wednesday to announce a $302m project to help farmers reap the rewards of greener farming practices.

Minister Murray Watt met with cane grower Mark Savina on his Kamerunga property which has already seen the benefit of improved soil health through greener farming practices.

The 2023-24 federal budget allocated $302m over five years to a Climate Smart Agriculture package under the next phase of the Natural Heritage Trust.

Mr Savina said its been a long process but he has been assisted along the way by facilitators from environmental management organisations like Terrain Natural Resource Management.

“Its been a journey of 14 years to improve soil quality and plant health with Terrain offering mentoring,” Mr Savina said.

“I’ve been working with people to track the biology in the soil to get a healthier plant and healthier soils will come from that.”

Terrain soil health team leader Jorg Edsen said their main aim was to work in partnership to improve the natural capital of the wet tropics.

“We try to maintain and improve the forests, agricultural land, as well as the reef,” Mr Edsen said.

“We are working with farmers and landholders to build their capacity and knowledge to implement land management strategies.”

Senator Watt said farmers will be supported to adopt sustainable practices, build resilience to climate change, harness carbon and biodiversity markets, and protect and invest in natural capital and biodiversity.

Cane grower Mark Savina takes Agriculture Minister Murray Watt through the latest variants of the cane he is cultivating. Photo: Dylan Nicholson

“Protecting our farmers from climate change and grabbing the opportunities that come with it are key priorities for our government,” Senator Watt said.

“These projects will trial, demonstrate and implement climate-smart agriculture practices and deliver regional landscape priority projects focused on effective natural resource management.”

Senator Watt said the projects would be supported by a network of Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators to provide farmers with access to trusted advice.

“More than $40m will support a network of Sustainable Agriculture Facilitators to provide extension services,” he said.

“I’ve met so many farmers who want to embrace more sustainable practices but need support and advice on how they can do it.

Mr Savina said it's a slow process but one worth persevering with.

“My father grew better cane than I do and this research helps us answer why and put little changes in place to change that.”

Originally published as Federal budget: $302m for greener farming profits to benefit Far North growers