Funding is available to irrigators to develop a new, or update an existing, whole farm plan.
“With all the changes happening in irrigation technology and delivery, the need for a whole farm plan is more relevant than ever before,’’ Goulburn Broken CMA Sustainable Irrigation Program Manager Carl Walters said.
Incentives to cover 85 per cent of the design component of completing a whole farm plan up to a maximum amount of $58.75 per hectare are available.
“Whole farm plans have been the mainstay of farm irrigation development for the past 30 years,” Mr Walters said
“They are a blue print for the future development of irrigation properties. As irrigation technologies have evolved and initiatives such as the GMW Connections project are rolled out across the region, an up-to-date whole farm plan becomes even more important to ensure farmers as well as governments get the best return on their investment in farm and regional irrigation infrastructure.”
Whole farm planning picks up on property characteristics such as topography, irrigation supply, irrigation systems and environmental features.
Irrigators work with an independent irrigation surveyor and designer to develop a whole farm plan that documents the future development of their properties.
“Working through different options during this planning stage can help irrigators avoid costly mistakes in the field,” Mr Walters said.
“Whole farm plans provide irrigators with the information they need to source independent quotes and ensure they get the best value for money from on farm upgrades.”
Whole farm plans also provide value for those working with the Connections project or applying for on-farm irrigation infrastructure upgrades through the Farm Water Program.
The Whole Farm Plan Incentive program is funded by the Victorian Government and delivered by the Goulburn Broken CMA and Agriculture Victoria.
For further information, please contact Joel Pike at Agriculture Victoria on 5482 0456.