The Victorian government has announced new funding to help drought affected farmers and contractors in the Millewa district to upgrade or repair machinery or equipment.
The Farm Machinery Improvement Grants Program will provide grants of up to $10,000 to eligible farm businesses to maintain or repair farm machinery or equipment.
It will be administered by the Victorian Farmers Federation.
VFF president David Jochinke said the funding would assist drought affected farm businesses to prepare for future seasons.
"The grants will provide much needed assistance for farmers, allowing them to make the necessary preparations for what I hope will be a strong 2020/21 season," Mr Jochinke said.
""Farmers have endured consecutive years of failed seasons.
"But, despite times of hardship, our farmers have been stewards of the land and their animals, maintaining world's best standards across their farms.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes the funding was part of the government's $31.6m drought assistance package, announced in October.
Farm owners, operators, share farmers or leaseholders can apply for a grant to undertake essential maintenance and repair of machinery including tractors, harvesters, seeders and hay baling equipment - including maintenance and repairs to meet safety standards and repairs to fix or replace broken parts.
The Labor Government's $31.6 million drought package takes its total support for drought-affected farmers since September 2018 to over $81 million.
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"I encourage all dryland farmers in the Millewa to get in touch and apply for these grants to repair and maintain essential farming machinery to ensure they have what they need for the 2020 growing season and beyond," Ms Syme said.
"This is part of our immediate, targeted support for farmers in the Millewa - and we'll continue to work closely with farming communities to help them stay resilient as climate change makes drought more frequent and severe."
The grants will be made available to eligible farm businesses and contractors in the Millewa District.
It includes farmers and contractors in towns and locality areas in the Mildura Shire: Carwarp, Cullulleraine, Lindsay Point, Meringur, Merrinee, Neds Corner, Wargan and Werrimull.
Details about applying for a grant are available by calling the VFF on 1300 882 833, visiting www.vff.org.au or email farmmachinerygrants@vff.org.au
