• A workshop is being held in Mallee to support the development of the Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool and Climate Services for Agriculture program.
• Farmers are encouraged to get involved in the development of climate and resilience tools, tailored to their needs.
• Both programs are part of the $5 billion Future Drought Fund.

Farmers in Mallee are encouraged to have their say in the design of two innovative Australian Government programs aimed at boosting drought resilience.Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud said the Climate Services for Agriculture (CSA) digital platform and Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool (DRSAT) will provide accessible and practical information to help farmers prepare for and adapt to climate change.“Aussie farmers have a proud history and a wealth of local climate knowledge so it’s important we tap into their ideas. I encourage anyone here in Mallee to register for one of the upcoming online workshops,” Minister Littleproud said.Member for Mallee, Anne Webster said the workshops are an opportunity for farmers to engage with government about how these tools can support them in planning for drought.“The workshops will explore how the tools present future climate information and link to other resources to support decision-making over the short and longer term,” Dr Webster said.Regular workshops and other opportunities to engage in the design and development of the digital tools are planned.For more information about the workshops or to register visit: The Mallee and South Australian Riverland (October 28)Further information on the programs is available at:

• Climate Services for Agriculture: agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/climate-services
• Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool: agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/drought-resilience-self-assessment-tool

Fast Facts

• Workshops are being held in four pilot regions to support the development of the Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool and Climate Services for Agriculture program. Workshop dates include:

• • 26 October – West Australian Wheatbelt
  • 28 October – Victorian Mallee and South Australian Riverland
  • 3 November – Condamine, Southern Downs and Northern Tablelands
  • 4 November – Queensland Dry Tropics

• Prototypes of the Climate Services for Agriculture platform and Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool are available. These will be further developed with users in pilot regions.
• The Climate Services for Agriculture (CSA) digital platform prototype provides communities who depend on agriculture access to historical climate information and future projections in one location – making it much easier to understand what future climate could look like locally.
• Users can access the DRSAT prototype to explore and provide feedback on the likely functionality, look and feel and content of the live tool, due for release in December 2021. User feedback is critical to ensuring that the tool delivers to user needs.
• Farmers who live outside of the pilot regions are also encouraged to access these tools and provide input.
• To access the tools and find further information is available at agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund