- A Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub launches in South Australia
- University of Adelaide to lead transformational drought resilience delivery
- An $8 million Australian Government investment, with $11 million contribution from Hub members
- This is one of eight hubs to be established around the country through the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
A new Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub based in South Australia is set to transform the way that South Australian farmers and communities prepare for and respond to drought.
The Australian Government will invest $8 million to establish the Hub under the $5 billion Future Drought Fund, with $11 million to be contributed by Hub members.
Member for Grey, Rowan Ramsey, said that Hub lead, the University of Adelaide, would oversee the co-design and delivery of innovative projects and practices aimed at boosting drought resilience and agricultural productivity.
“For the first time, this South Australian Hub will bring together local researchers, farmers, industry, supply chain experts, traditional owners, agribusiness and other stakeholders to take on the challenges of drought,” Mr Ramsey said.
“Through the Hub, they will design and deliver innovative tools and strategies for South Australian famers and their communities, boosting drought resilience and future proofing our regional communities.
“The South Australia Hub will be a shopfront for farmers to access innovative technologies and practices that enable them to be more prepared and resilient to drought. The Hub’s initial focus will be on mixed farming with an expansion to other sectors.
Mr Ramsey said that in addition to the core site at the University of Adelaide’s Roseworthy campus, regional nodes will be located in Minnipa, Port Augusta, Orroroo, Loxton and Struan. This will provide shopfronts and increase the reach to farmers and communities with boots on the ground and jobs in the regions.
“The Hub will bring together organisations like Primary Producers SA, Ag Excellence Alliance, the South Australian Government, Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation and Elders Rural Australia.
“The Hub will build the capabilities of farmers and rural communities to become more resilient to drought through co-design activities that empower members to help create innovative solutions that are relevant, useful and used by South Australian farming communities.”
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the South Australian Hub is one of eight across the country to be established that will support development and uptake of innovative technologies and practices that improve drought resilience.
“Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs have come about through the forward-thinking Future Drought Fund – a long term, sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought preparedness,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Drought is a natural part of the Australian landscape and these hubs will play a critical role in helping farmers and agricultural communities to be better prepared.”
Fast Facts:
- This is one of eight Hubs to be established around the country through the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
- The Hubs are the centrepiece of the Australian Government’s $86 million Future Drought Fund Research and Adoption Program.
- They will become flagship precincts for agricultural innovation.
- The Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment will lead the
co-ordination of the Hubs, supporting them to become interconnected agricultural innovation precincts. - Find out more by visiting www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program
