Accelerate the adoption of land use and management practices that protect soil and improve soil state and trends.
Priority 3 links to goals 2 (Empower soil innovation and stewards) and 3 (Strengthen soil knowledge and capability) of the National Soil Strategy.
Focus of activities
Priority 3 activities focus on support measures that accelerate the adoption of land use and management practices that protect soil and improve soil state and trend
Focus areas for priority 3:
- increase the number of land managers with access to extension activities, information and decision-making tools that support and demonstrate the benefits of improving land use practices for soil health
- share approaches that have been effective in increasing the adoption of land management practices to improve soil health and resilience to the impacts of climate change
- ensure regional NRM plans and strategies at the local and state level are consistent with the action plan and align to its priorities
- review the investment framework for soil research and make suggestions to better target government investment toward programs and projects that align to action plan priorities
- engage a broader set of agricultural and rural industries on their role in helping to achieve this priority
Joint partnerships
Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry
Natural Heritage Trust (NHT)
The 2023-24 Budget includes $302.1 million over five years for climate-smart, sustainable agriculture investments under the NHT. Through effective on-ground projects, the government is supporting farmers to manage climate risks in their on-farm natural capital and adopt effective natural resource and land management practices. This also includes investment to continue to support on-ground, soil-related projects, such as the Regional Soil Coordinators program and the National Soil Community of Practice, which facilitate soil extension services and promote soil knowledge sharing and innovation for more effective and sustainable land management practices.
This also addresses actions in Priority 1.
Learn more about the NHT
Future Drought Fund
The Future Drought Fund (FDF) is a $5 billion fund from which $100 million per annum is provided for drought resilience initiatives to help Australian farms and communities prepare for the impacts of drought. Over the last 4 years, $36.54 million has been provided through the Drought Resilient Soils and Landscapes Program and the NRM Drought Resilience Program to support projects that improve the management of natural resources, including soils. Other FDF programs also support natural resource management outcomes, including the Drought Resilience Innovation Grants, Regional Drought Resilience Planning, Farm Business Resilience, and Extension and Adoption of Drought Resilience Farming Practices programs.
Learn more about the Future Drought Fund