The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) has developed the Western Australian Soil Health Strategy 2021-2031.
In a statement, the DPIRD said the Strategy set the direction to support the management, protection and improvement of the State’s highly complex and variable soils, fundamental to food security and environmental sustainability.
It said the 10-year initiative would guide policy, research, investment and on-ground actions to conserve and enhance the State’s soils, while creating an environment that encouraged partnerships to invest in building soil health.
Minister for Agriculture and Food, Alannah MacTiernan said the Strategy would be overseen by the Soil and Land Conservation Council and delivered through the Department in association with Government, industry and community partners.
“The Western Australian Soil Health Strategy is more than a document, it is an investment in action to look after our diverse soil ecosystems, which are the foundation for profitable agriculture and the environment,” Ms MacTiernan said.
“Climate change is placing increasing pressure on our soils, with hotter and drier weather affecting plant growth, agricultural production and encouraging bushfires and erosion,” she said.
The Minister said the Strategy was an important step in protecting the essential living resource to ensure the State’s soils continued to function as a vital ecosystem that sustained plants, animals and humans for future generations.
“This work feeds into other critical projects, including the recent series of soil health masterclasses as part of the Agriculture Climate Resilience Fund, the Southern Rangelands Revitalisation Project and the Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program,” Ms MacTiernan said.
The 49-page Strategy can be accessed at this PS News link.
