Planning, managing and recovering from drought faster through Growcom’s business resilience program

Drought is a fact of life in Australia and to boost the longevity and strength of Queensland horticulture, Growcom is working with government bodies, industry service providers and natural resource management groups to enhance farm business outcomes, through the Farm Business Resilience Program (FBRP).

Growcom’s Farm Business Resilience Program will support farmers to prepare for, manage and recover from drought.

The program, to be rolled out across Queensland, is supported and funded by the Federal Department of Agriculture Water and Environment, through the Future Drought Fund and the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a $2.25 million investment in the program.

Growcom chief executive officer Stephen Barnard said that considering over 120 different fruit, vegetable and nut crops are grown across Queensland, developing tools to combat the ill-effects of drought in a changing climate need to be addressed now.

“Farmers know best how to grow food that Australians enjoy year-round and they do a top-notch job,” Mr Barnard said.

“We are excited to get the ball rolling and will utilise our Best Management Practice program, Hort360, to assist growers to identify gaps in their management systems.

“We will engage growers to overcome limitations brought on by drought and build capacity through the Farm Business Resilience Program.

“This process will enable businesses to target issues and major risks and enhance the business’s ability to plan and grow in the face of drought – including from production, financial and personal perspectives.

“Growcom stands firmly on its mission to support fresh produce growers to be sustainable and profitable and this program will provide a process to assist growers through thick and thin.”

Growcom will engage with fresh produce growers on key topics such as business, people, climate and environment through this program.

The Farm Business Resilience Program will be open to all primary producers – a drought declaration isn’t required to access planning.

For more information, read this media release from the Federal and State Government.