Through $11 million in grants, the Australian Government will assist Australian farmers in demonstrating the premium quality, sustainability, and First Nations credentials of their produce.
The funding is part of the Federal Government’s $100 million investment allocated to improve Australia’s traceability systems.
Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry Murray Watt has announced a variety of financing decisions designed to assist producers in proving the quality of their food and receiving premium prices via traceability systems.
Minister Watt said this year alone, the Federal Government has invested over $55 million in Australia’s agricultural traceability systems.
“We are providing $11 million in grants under the National Agriculture Traceability Grants Program. These grants support our agricultural sector become even more sustainable, adapt to climate change and benefit First Nations producers,” Minister Watt stated.
The initiatives are:
- $5 million to the National Farmers’ Federation for expanding the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework, determining how producers can demonstrate evidence-based sustainability credentials, and enhancing Australia’s international standing on sustainable agriculture and climate action.
- $4 million for 11 projects financed through the Sustainability Reporting Uplift Grant Round that will assist farmers in identifying and collecting the data necessary to demonstrate climate action and satisfy emerging international sustainability requirements.
- $2 million to the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation for the development of an Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework and the provision of proof of indigenous agricultural product credentials for the benefit of First Nations Australians.
National Farmers Federation Acting President David Jochinke stated that the organisation was dedicated to advancing the Australian Agricultural Sustainability Framework and proving practical benefits by utilising the framework to drive growing international standards via evidence-based sustainability certifications.
“The framework will mark a significant development for the Indigenous agricultural sector by delivering further opportunities for Indigenous people through supply chain value adds and an increase in prospects for Indigenous farmers, producers, and processors to enter export markets,” Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation CEO Joe Morrison commented.
“Australian farmers already work hard to ensure their produce is clean, green, and sustainable, but we can do more to assure our trading partners of our world-leading sustainability credentials,” Minister Watt said.
Minister Watt explained that traceability enables farmers and producers to prove their products are safe, high-quality, and sustainable from field to plate. He stated that it helps Australia access important export markets that increasingly need sustainable, climate-smart practises. Through thorough data and produce monitoring, he noted that it assists Australia’s biosecurity system and supports the move to greener agriculture.
“I’m delighted to see projects awarded to industry and research groups as we move towards a more sustainable agriculture sector. In particular, supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians to own and benefit from Indigenous agricultural products ensures their practices are recognised, valued, and protected,” the Minister added.
