The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development has launched a voucher program to help farmers develop soil carbon and revegetation projects and reap the benefits of carbon sequestration.
The Department said the Carbon For Farmers Program had been introduced to help farmers develop the land management strategies necessary to participate in its Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program, or a carbon accreditation scheme.
“Vouchers up to $10,000 are available to primary producers in the South-West Land Division to engage professional services, which requires participants to contribute one-tenth of the value,” the Department said.
“The vouchers can be used to engage the services of appropriate professionals to complete a land management strategy, a requirement of registering a carbon project with the Clean Energy Regulator.”
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Alannah MacTiernan said the Carbon for Farmers Program was a practical initiative to demystify how to get into carbon farming and evaluate the benefits it could provide on-farm.
“Markets are requiring carbon accountability for our products, so our farmers need to be armed with the best information to pivot their businesses to respond to customer requirements,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Carbon farming is also an increasingly lucrative opportunity for income diversification.”
She said that as with previous agricultural advances like minimum tillage and online trading, there was much to discover about the opportunities and how change could generate long-lasting benefits.
“We encourage farmers — big and small — to take advantage of this unique opportunity to get in on the ground floor and take advantage of the resources available to strengthen their resilience and profitability,” Ms MacTiernan said.
Applications for vouchers close on 1 April and can be made at this PS News link.
