Conservation Farming Grants Offered to NSW Farmers for Moving to a Sustainable Farming System

摘要

Keeping in the importance of conservation farming systems in addressing soil degradation issues, two million dollars were set aside as part of State and Commonwealth funded drought initiative to encourage NSW farmers to change their farming practices. This program was intended to help land holders better prepare for drought and dry season cropping. The project was administered by NSW Rural assistance Authority. Farmers were able to take advantage of the drought preparedness grants to pay for up to 10% to a maximum of A$10,000 towards the cost of a new or second hand conservation farming equipment. Upton 50% to a maximum of 5,000 of the cost of converting conventional equipment to conservation farming equipment was also covered by the grants. Grants could also be obtained for buying new or second hand conservation farming equipment and converting conventional equipment. This paper provides an overview of the equipment bought and converted by NSW farmers using grants money.