Drought Conditions Cause the NSW Government to Offer Funding Assistance for Farmers
Farmers in New South Wales who are grappling with the worsening effects of the recent drought may apply for financial assistance from the state government. The funding programme comes at the right time after farmers in the country struggled during the 2017-2018 season, due to severe weather that affected grain production.
Funding Aid
Niall Blai, NSW Primary Industries Minister, said that the Drought Transport Fund will help qualified farmland owners to cover expenses such as water cartage, fodder distribution and livestock agistment. Applicants may borrow up to $20,000 to pay for these costs.
The amount may be small, but it would be enough for short-term expenses, particularly for farmers in the Hunter Valley Region. Agribusinesses in the area are suffering from dry landscapes. Some parts in the Upper Hunter district are experiencing a severe shortage of rainfall that happens once in 20 years, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
Harvest Numbers
The lack of rainfall served as one reason why harvest numbers in the 2017-2018 season were bad for the industry. Despite hot weather conditions in 2017, a Global Agriculture Information Network (GAIN) report expects grain production for the 2018-2019 season to reach 24 million tonnes, provided that average seasonal conditions occur over the year.
With brighter prospects ahead, farmers may want to improve their storage and shelter facilities in time for the harvest. Shipping container sheds, like the ones provided by Domeshelter Australia, are a mobile and convenient way to provide shelter in the harsh Australian outback for vehicles, livestock, office space and storage.
Dry weather has been a perennial concern among farmers not just in New South Wales. Fortunately, there are now different solutions for both storage and irrigation. As industry forecasts for the next harvest season are moderate, farmers are considering all options to keep their business afloat.
