As we head into another winter, almost all parts of our State continue to experience prolonged and widespread drought conditions, resulting in high fodder costs and the price of stock falling.
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Large areas across the New England and North West remain in the 'Intense Drought' category, despite some higher rainfall totals in late March.
While this rainfall was very welcome, it's far from a break of drought conditions. It'll take continued and consistent rainfall to replenish the long-term soil moisture deficits, improve the feed gap and the limited sowing opportunities.
I know that when our farmers are hurting the whole state hurts. Rural NSW is home to more than 53,000 primary production businesses and the government, through the Department of Primary Industries and Local Lands Services, continues to work closely with them to prepare for, manage and recover from drought.
The NSW Government has provided more than $1.1 billion to deliver the Farm Innovation Fund, to build resilience and improve on-farm efficiency, $100 million towards removing the burden of farming fees and charges and $190 million in Drought Transport Subsidies.
Unfortunately the negative climatic outlook is here for foreseeable future, with winter crops being sown on minimal moisture and water storages across the state at a critically low level.
Over the past few weeks I have been getting out and about meeting with and hearing from farmers and rural communities.
As the new Minister for Agriculture, I know that we need to do more and I am determined to see the government provide more support to farmers and farming communities to get through this drought. Any further assistance packages much deliver on farm assistance for primary producers and off farm assistance for local communities and businesses.
Our farmers are a resilient bunch. They have been through droughts, floods and fires before and will again rise above the current tough times.
Our state is home to some of the country's most resilient, driven and innovative farmers and the NSW Government remains committed to investing in world-class research and development to help them prepare for future challenges.
I am very mindful that we must continue to remind consumers that NSW is still home to some of the best food and fibre in the world.
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NSW boasts an abundant and diverse range of primary industries from quality beef, dairy and poultry to world-class wool and well grown wheat, cotton and pulses.
The best thing people can do to support our farmers now and help us prepare them for the better times ahead is to continue to buy NSW food and fibre.
Not only will you get some of the best, freshest, safest, and highest quality offerings you'll find anywhere, you'll also be supporting producers and communities that are dealing with the current dry seasonal conditions.
Adam Marshall
Minister for Agriculture and Western NSW
