The NSW Government’s 2021-22 Budget has given farmers the tools they need to get back to doing what they do best.
Nationals Minister for Agriculture Adam Marshall said after drought, bushfires, floods and mice, the agricultural industry could now firmly focus on producing the best food and fibre in the world, backed by significant investments from the NSW Nationals in the state government.
“In our 2021-22 Budget there is more than $1 billion in recurrent and new spending to allow farmers to focus on farming while we support them through innovation, improved biosecurity and building resilience,” Mr Marshall said.
“We’ve put $150 million on the table for regional communities to tackle the mice plague, $72.5 million to help primary industries recover from floods and more than $38.2 million in drought preparedness.
“Mother nature has thrown everything it can at our farmers and they’ve come out the other side. Now it is time to take advantage of some of the best conditions we’ve seen in years.
“Of that $1 billion, $374.5 million has been put towards building productive and sustainable agriculture and aquaculture, including enhancing the productivity of plant and livestock farming systems, with a focus on adapting to our evolving and unique climate.
“A further $262 million is invested in biosecurity, including pest and weed management, to ensure we continue to knock down threats to our primary industries.
“NSW is home to the world’s best; most innovative and productive primary producers and we are giving them the tools they need to continue their outstanding work.”
Mr Marshall said a feature of the NSW 2021-22 Budget for our agricultural industries was an investment in and preparation for the future.
“Farmers know their business best, and they realise that the ideal time to prepare for drought is during the good conditions like we’re seeing right now,” Mr Marshall said.
“We are committed to growing our ag industry to be worth $30 billion by 2030, and research and development, and innovation are the keys to our success in achieving that goal.”
