FARMERS, agribusinesses, stakeholders and rural communities have the chance to weigh in on the role of the Future Drought Fund (FDF) Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs.
Deputy Secretary Matt Lowe said the hubs were under review to evaluate their performance.
“The eight drought hubs started in April 2021, thanks to FDF funding from the Australian Government,” Mr Lowe said.
Regional universities lead seven of the hubs and a grower group alliance leads the eighth.
The Victoria Hub (VIC Hub) is led by the University of Melbourne (UoM), with the core site at UoM's regional campus in Dookie, and a further five hub nodes located in Gippsland, the South-West, North-West, North-West Irrigated Horticulture and North-East.
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“The idea was to connect producers, industry, agribusinesses, natural resource management practitioners and communities with regional experts, innovations, and new practices," said Mr Lowe.
“There is no one way to be ready for drought.
"The local hubs and nodes mean that drought-proofing farms can be tailored to individual regions.”
Last year the Productivity Commission presented their Inquiry Report on the FDF, which found the hubs could be clearer about their roles.
“We’re taking the report seriously and we want to make sure the hubs are fit for purpose and creating the best possible results for the agriculture sector,” Mr Lowe said.
“Funding has been extended for two years from 2024-25 while the review is underway, with future funding from 2026-27 contingent on the outcome of the review.
“The review will look at how the hubs are performing, as well as how they’re governed and operating.
"The review will also look at how effective the program is.
“This is the chance for the community to put forward their feedback on the hubs and what we can do to make them effective for the agriculture sector.
"I encourage producers, businesses and people in regional areas to make their voices heard.”
For more information visit Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs - DAFF (agriculture.gov.au).
To have your say on the drought hubs visit https://haveyoursay.agriculture.gov.au/innovation-hubs
