MEDIA RELEASE

November 2, 2022

The Landcare movement, founded on sustainable agricultural principles, welcomes the Government’s commitment to boost the productivity and profitability of the agriculture sector while delivering wider climate and environmental benefits.

The National Landcare Network (NLN), the peak representative body for community Landcare groups across Australia, welcomed the Federal Government’s budget announcement last week of a $302 million investment into sustainable agriculture over five years.

NLN CEO Jim Adams said, “As a movement with its origins in sustainable agriculture and environmental stewardship, we are pleased to see investment which will support landholders’ roles as stewards of Australia’s agricultural lands, biodiversity and natural capital.

“Access to emerging environmental markets is critical for our members and we look forward to working with the government to help farmers continue to enhance agricultural sustainability, improve on-farm biodiversity and carbon opportunities,” Mr Adams said.

As set out in its Australian Community Landcare Futures Framework, The National Landcare Network is committed to building its leadership capacity with a focus on indigenous and community-based Natural Resource Management leadership for landholder participation in agricultural (carbon plus) market mechanisms and opportunities.

Mr Adams said, “We are well-placed to work with the government to assist famers and industry participants adopt climate-smart, sustainable agriculture practices and build engagement in markets through our trusted role in agricultural knowledge exchange.

Engaging effectively with carbon and biodiversity markets will ensure Australian agriculture remains competitive and drives sustainable outcomes that support the agriculture sector’s vision for a $100 billion industry by 2030.

Read more about the Australian Government’s 2023-24 for sustainable agriculture investment

Read more about the NLN budget response