Drought resilience and innovation activities in Western Australia’s South-West agricultural region will be showcased during the coming Future Drought Fund (FDF) Science to Practice Forum.
South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub (SW WA Hub) Project Manager Kellie-Jane (KJ) Pritchard encourages people to register now for the interactive event, which is being held from June 7 to 9.
“This free-of-charge forum will feature the activities of Australia’s eight Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hubs and highlight innovative tools and practices that can help farmers and communities to better manage their drought risks,” Ms Pritchard said.
“It’s a hybrid forum – giving you the flexibility to attend interactive online sessions or an in-person event in our Hub region.
“Interested people are welcome to join the Hub team at an interactive viewing of the forum being held at the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) Merredin Dryland Research Institute.
“Those who would like to attend this in-person Merredin event are encouraged to register early as numbers are limited – you can choose to attend one, two or all three days.
“On Day 3 (Thursday, June 9) of the forum, the Hub and DPIRD will host a local field trip focusing on Merredin Research Facility trials relating to drought and systems resilience.”
The SW WA Hub, which is led by the Grower Group Alliance and funded by the Australian Government’s $5 billion FDF program, aims to improve the drought resilience and preparedness of local farmers and their communities, and to foster agricultural innovation.
FDF Science to Practice Forum presentations relevant to the SW WA agricultural region or the Hub include:
- WaterSmart Farms: Using desalination to turn a problem into an opportunity: Richard George, DPIRD
- WaterSmart Dams: Making sure you have enough water to get you through the next drought: Nik Callow, The University of WA
- Cautionary tales from the WA Drought Reform Measures pilot program (2010-2011) and other experiences: Christine Storer, Charles Sturt University; Rebecca Heath, DPIRD; John Noonan, College of Extension; Roy Murray-Prior, Agribiz RD&E Services; Michael Quartermaine, Growing Australia
- The Noongar Boodjar Rangers saving seed to heal land and build drought resilience: Karl O’Callaghan and Jermaine (Bomber) Davis, Wheatbelt NRM
- Smart Farms: A grower group’s efforts to share data and increase productivity: Nathan Dovey and Philip Honey, Stirlings to Coast Farmers.
Yuna-based agronomist Belinda Eastough, of Elders Rural Services, will participate in a panel discussion ‘How do we best manage soils for drought resilience?’
To register for the SW WA Hub’s in-person events at Merredin, register via EventBrite at https://t.co/irIyOc7toD.
If you are unable to attend the in-person event at Merredin but wish to join the Forum online from your home or workplace, please register at https://bit.ly/37TQefN.
The FDF Science to Practice Forum program is available at https://bit.ly/3PuS6Nd.
Caption: South-West WA Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub Project Manager Kellie-Jane (KJ) Pritchard says the Hub team will be at Merredin to host an interactive viewing of the national Future Drought Fund Science to Practice Forum.
