Six 18-month transformational agricultural projects have started in Western Australia after grants worth $1 million were awarded by the South West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub).
The SW WA Hub, led by the Grower Group Alliance and funded by the Australian Government's $5 billion Future Drought Fund program, aims to improve the drought resilience and preparedness of local farmers and their communities, and foster agricultural innovation.
The Transformational Program seeks to investigate new and emerging systems or significant modifications of current systems that lead to transformational change of agricultural practices to improve drought and climate resilience in WA.
Hub director Mark Holland acknowledged transformational change had more complex barriers than those faced when making incremental changes.
"The size and complexity of the task to transform practices could mean individuals and communities are unlikely to act without support," Mr Holland said.
"True transformational change can take years to develop and implement and can involve developing a range of capabilities and new knowledge through many stages.
"Given the project's 18-month timeline, the SW WA Hub does not expect the final development of transformational products or solutions.
"Having said that, successful projects will develop new or additional knowledge, processes or capabilities in their areas of focus, fostering transformational change in agricultural systems."
There were 33 expressions of interest worth $6.1 million that were submitted by hub consortium partners and their collaborators that were reviewed by an independent panel.
SW WA Hub knowledge broker Tanya Kilminster said the successful projects had potential for great outcomes
"The projects clearly define a constraint to future production in the context of climate resilience, and the opportunity to overcome such a constraint to transform agriculture", Ms Kilminster said.
"The projects align with the SW WA Hub's drought resilience priorities, which were developed through a comprehensive and consultative process with the Hub's Regional Nodes, farmers, grower groups, NRM groups, First Nations people, and industry experts."
Each project is led by a SW WA Hub consortium partner and involves multiple partnerships and investors, including end users such as growers and grower groups.
In addition to the $1m funding, collaborating organisations have contributed a further $1.6m which will investigate a diverse range of topics.
Murdoch University's SMART SPRAYS project will test the use of biodegradable polymer sprays to improve water harvesting and water retention in cropping systems.
Farmanco will identify opportunities where renewable energy initiatives can enhance and complement existing farming businesses in the Wheatbelt.
The University of Western Australia (UWA) will help WA farmers understand how natural capital might be valued as an asset class.
The Centre for People, Place, and Planet at Edith Cowan University (ECU) and Maaman Marra Boodjar will explore how First Nations knowledge can provide alternative ways to address current and future climate challenges in contemporary agricultural systems.
UWA's Centre for Water and Spatial Science will explore methods for monitoring methane emissions from farm dams.
This project will highlight the broader benefits of improving water quality for better livestock health and productivity, and more effective spray programs.
Whole Green Foods will scale-up a manufacturing process to turn potato peel into a livestock feed.
The projects are currently underway and will be completed by June 2025.
