Friday 28 February 2020
Money grows with trees in Tassie
- $3.97 million to promote adoption of agroforestry in the Tasmanian Midlands.
- Integrating trees into farming systems helps boost productivity and profitability
Tasmanian agriculture will benefit from the Coalition Government-backed CSIRO project that aims to support farmers adopt agroforestry.
Agriculture Minister David Littleproud said $3.97 million funding for the ‘Perennial Prosperity’ project would benefit Tasmania’s $1.6 billion agricultural industry.
“Agroforestry has many benefits like improved soil, reduced erosion, additional income and shade and shelter for stock—but adoption has remained low.
“Integrating trees into farms will help sustain the environment, deliver benefits to farmers from better land management and improve the business bottom-line.
“One of the main challenges is how farmers can put a dollar value on agroforestry, and this project will help farmers measure the benefits.
“The project team will be on the ground in the Midlands between Launceston and Hobart.
“Three-quarters of the farms in the Midlands is used for grazing and makes up more than half of the gross value of ag production in the region.
“We’re investing in projects like this because we recognise that half of Australia’s land mass is managed by farmers and they are best placed to manage their natural assets.”
Assistant Minister for Fisheries and Foresty Jonno Duniam said this project complements the National Forest Industries Plan and will also contribute towards the government’s plan to make Australia’s Agriculture, Fisheries and Foresty sector a $100 billion industry by 2030.
For more details about Smart Farming Partnerships click here.
Fast Facts:
- The Smart Farms program is an agriculture portfolio initiative under phase two of the National Landcare Program.
- Through this program, the Government is investing $134 million to develop tools and technologies that help farmers, fishers, foresters and regional communities improve and protect soils, water and vegetation.