Drought funding expanded as cost of bushfires revealed

Ms Symes said the crisis could bring about new investment to the state's agriculture sector, improving efficiency and productivity for farms and supply chains.

Her vision for the sector post-COVID-19 was outlined during an address to the Rural Press Club of Victoria last Thursday, where she announced an expansion of the government's On-Farm Drought Resilience Program.

"Demand for Victorian agricultural products will remain strong and this is good news as it will ultimately mean more money in the pockets of farmers ... and will indeed create more jobs," Ms Symes said.

"In particular it could lead to greater support for on-shore product processing and manufacturing."

Ms Symes said there was a "cultural reluctance" in Australia for new investment, however, the pandemic could change the way industry perceives it as "our country strives for greater self sufficiency".

Under the changes to drought funding, farmers will be eligible to access up to $10,000 to spend on business planning activities and drought infrastructure investments.

Before last week, farmers were only eligible to access one $5000 grant under the program.

"It's following feedback from farmers that they will now be able to use this funding for equipment such as mobile phone booster technologies to improve access to the internet," Ms Symes said.

The Farm Machinery Grant Program was also extended for farmers in the Millewa to access grants of up to $10,000 with prospective producers urged to contact the Victorian Farmers Federation.

During her address to the Rural Press Club, Ms Symes said diplomatic relations was a sensitive issue during the pandemic but Victoria's agriculture sector was dependent on export to countries like China.

"The importance of our export options to countries all around the world is vital for our economy, for our agriculture sector and job creation - China is a big part of that," Ms Symes said.

"Victoria has had a very strong history working well with China... We've had continued exports during the pandemic as well air freight being able to take some of our produce to China.

"I really hope that we do not see major disruptions for our agricultural sector and I'm sure that is front and centre of some of the difficult conversations are having."

Based on government modelling, farms in the fire footprint lost $320 million from the December/January bushfires in East Gippsland and the north-east, according to Ms Symes.

That figure is expected to grow to $391 million by the end of 2020 as the clean up continues, the webinar was told on Thursday.

In January, the federal and state governments announced a $75 million plan to be led by building giant Grocon to clean up the fire-ravaged sites across Victoria.

Ms Symes said she was aware of concerns from members of these communities the clean up was taking longer than anticipated.

"I tend to have a view that it could be quicker," Ms Symes said.

"Of course you want to see these clean ups happen as soon as possible and I will continue to seek advice on how that's rolling out."

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