What is drought assistance?
The term ‘drought assistance’ refers to all the measures implemented and funded by the Australian and State governments to support drought affected farm businesses, farm families and regional communities.
The focus of drought assistance has changed over time; from loans for seed, fertilizer and irrigation to ensure promote settlement; to treating drought as a natural disaster; to providing direct financial and social support to help farmers through hardship. This evolution of assistance measures has been the governments’ response to changing policy, research, social opinion and climate.
Who implements drought assistance in Western Australia?
All Australian and state funded drought assistance schemes are managed by the Department of Agriculture and Food, Western Australia and the Rural Business Development Corporation (RBDC).
All schemes administered by DAFWA and the RBDC follow established government processes and undergo strict financial and strategic audit. DAFWA’s aim is to improve the long-term profitability and viability of WA farm businesses to create a competitive and sustainable farm sector. From 2010–13, WA farm businesses have benefitted from over $40 million of direct funding via grants, training and drought support programs administered by the RBDC and DAFWA.