Drought occurs when there is a period of prolonged dry conditions relative to a
typical season. It is a recurring feature of Australia’s climate and an inherent risk for grain production.
With water availability fundamental to crop production, drought can significantly reduce farm profitability and business viability, affecting the livelihoods of farming families and their employees, regional communities and the broader grain supply chain. Reduced grain production can have significant impacts on Australia’s economy, export capacity and national food security.
While state and territory governments hold primary responsibility for water
management and drought response, building drought resilience requires
coordinated action across all levels of government, industry and regional communities.
GRAINGROWERS SUPPORTS:
- Coordinated approaches to drought preparedness, response and recovery by all levels of government in collaboration with industry and communities.
- Growers having access to education, extension services and decision-support tools that assist to prepare for, manage, and recover from, drought.
- Accessible and affordable risk management tools, including Farm Management Deposits and finance through the Regional Investment Corporation.
- Targeted safety-net measures that aid during periods of exceptional hardship without distorting markets or discouraging long-term self-resilience.
- Continued investment in research, development and extension that improves drought resilience through improved farming systems, crop genetics and water-use efficiency.
- Investment in regional infrastructure that strengthens long-term drought resilience, including water, digital connectivity and transport infrastructure.
- Access to accurate climate, seasonal forecasting and water information that supports informed farm business decisions.
- Mental health and wellbeing services that are accessible, timely and tailored to growers and people who live and work in regional communities.
GRAINGROWERS RECOGNISES:
- Drought is a recurring feature of the Australian landscape, and an inherent risk to crop production with impacts that extend to adjacent industries and
communities. - Drought severity is measured by water availability compared to typical seasons and duration.
- Drought impacts vary considerably between regions, farming systems and individual businesses.
- Effective drought management requires preparedness before drought, appropriate support during drought, and assistance to recover
afterwards. - Growers are responsible for managing production and financial risks, including preparedness for, management through, and recovery from, drought.
- Governments have an important role in enabling drought resilience by providing appropriate policy settings, information, research, and targeted safety nets (that do not distort markets or create inequity) for those experiencing genuine hardship.
GRAINGROWERS SEEKS:
- Drought preparedness programs that improve farm business management, financial capability, and risk management and planning.
- Accurate seasonal forecasting and climate decision-support tools being accessible to growers.
- Research, development, extension and adoption of technologies that improve water-use efficiency and productivity.
- Government drought policy that:
- Encourages preparedness before drought occurs.
- Provides targeted support during periods of genuine hardship.
- Assists businesses to recover following drought.
- Avoids creating market distortions.
- Strengthens long-term resilience, competitiveness and sustainability of Australia’s grain industry.