A new drought resilience shopfront in Roma will support farmers and communities in southern Queensland to prepare for and respond to drought.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said the new Roma node of the Southern Queensland and Northern New South Wales Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub would support drought resilience and agricultural productivity in the region.
“The hub brings together researchers, farmers, agricultural businesses, and rural communities to connect with drought resilience expertise and contribute to the design of innovative technologies and practices,” Littleproud said. “The hub’s core site is at the University of Southern Queensland in Toowoomba with ‘nodes’ (or shopfronts) in Armidale, Longreach, Roma, Stanthorpe, Lismore, and Narrabri.
“SQNNSW Hub partner, Southern Queensland Landscapes, will host the new Roma node, where Maranoa farmers can get support for the adoption of new and innovative practices. Roma node leaders will respond to the needs and conditions of the Maranoa region to help it become more resilient to future droughts.”
The SQNNSW Hub is one of eight nationally with over 40 ‘node’ locations across regional Australia funded by the federal government’s Future Drought Fund.
“The hubs are part of the forward-thinking Future Drought Fund, a long term, sustained investment of $100 million each year to build drought preparedness,” Littleproud said.
“Drought is part of the Australian landscape, and the hubs play a critical role in helping farmers and agricultural communities to be better prepared. I encourage local farmers and the community to participate in the Roma node.”
The federal government is investing $10 million in the hub over four years, with more than $10 million in contributions from Hub Members and Network Partners, including Southern Queensland Landscapes.
Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs are part of the federal government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
For more information about the hub, click here.