Regional hubs to deliver soil science excellence

• $3 million for eight new Regional Soil Coordinators
• Supports the $13.8 million Soil Extension Activities grants program
• Connects local farmers with Soil Science Australia (the National Soil Science body)

Farmers will get practical assistance to improve soil health and testing with the rollout of eight new Regional Soil Coordinators across the nation.

Speaking at the Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub in Wagga Wagga, Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said a coordinator would now be based at each of the innovation hubs across the nation.

“This is a $3 million initiative that will deliver down to earth support to Australian farmers,” Minister Littleproud said.

“We are giving farmers and land managers the tools and information they need to protect and improve the foundation of Australian agriculture, our soils.

“It gives them access to the best soil science and tools available, so they can maximise this year’s returns and better plan for the future.

“It’s on top of a national, $13.8 million Soil Extension Activities program that helps farmers to better understand soil health, better access the latest training and testing techniques, and make better decisions for future growing seasons based on real data.”

The Regional Soil Coordinators will work with Soil Science Australia to form a National Community of Practice.

Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs, part of the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund, provide networks for researchers, primary producers and community groups to improve drought resilience at the local level.

Fast Facts:

• The National Soil Strategy will help deliver collaborative and coordinated onground action, research, education and monitoring to help care for and improve this valuable resource.
• Eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs will host Regional Soil Coordinators to help farmers and land managers improve soil management and increase productivity, profitability and sustainability.
• The Hubs cover eight regions including: Southern NSW, Southern Queensland / Northern NSW, South-West WA, Victoria, Northern WA/NT, Tropical North Queensland, South Australia and Tasmania.
• The Regional Soil Coordinators support the $13.8 million Soil Extension Activities grants program, covering over 200 individual activities to improve soil health and soil management.
• This is on top of the previously announced $2 million for Soil Science Australia (the National Soil Science and training body).