- Investment to drive clever irrigated agriculture projects
- Address water challenges through innovation and technology
Water Minister Mia Davies today announced a $20 million competitive grants program to drive investment in innovative water use for irrigated agriculture.
Ms Davies said the Water Irrigation Innovation Grants program, which was part of the Water for Food program, would encourage new investment to support local industry development in regional, remote and rural areas.
"Funding of up to $5 million a year will be made available to encourage industry-led ideas that optimise the use of water assets in regional communities for high-value food produce," she said.
"While innovation in irrigated agriculture has been happening globally for many years, Western Australia has been slower to embrace new technologies. Israel's productivity is twice the value of WA using one per cent of the land and five per cent of the water.
Regional Development Minister Terry Redman said Royalties for Regions was investing heavily in agricultural development opportunities to increase economic stability and build sustainable regional communities.
"The Water Irrigation Innovation Grants program will address regional, rural and remote water challenges through innovation and technology, creating more opportunities for irrigated agriculture," Mr Redman said.
"WA has significant opportunities to capitalise on the growing global demand for food and I look forward to seeing the considerable flow-on benefits for regional communities."
Agriculture and Food Minister Mark Lewis said the program would de-risk projects through better water knowledge, leading to increased investment in both small and large-scale irrigated agriculture
"Funding will be considered for regional projects such as closed system technologies for horticultural enterprises, the development of feasibility and market studies, demonstration and infrastructure projects," Mr Lewis said.
"Projects will need to demonstrate their capacity to leverage investment and how they will benefit the community, the region and the economy."
Fact File
Water Minister's office - 6552 5500
Regional Development Minister's office - 6552 6700
Agriculture and Food Minister's office - 6552 6400
