Up to 40 local primary producers in the Central-West Orana region of New South Wales will soon be able to apply for grants of up to $35,000 to help them buy new and upgraded agricultural technology, as one of the “tangible benefits” of the local renewable energy zone (REZ) is rolled out.
The Minns Labor government announced on Wednesday its new $1.4 million Smart Farming Program which will provide local primary producers with grants of up to $35,000 to cover 70 per cent of the cost of eligible farming technologies.
The new initiative – part of a $128 million investment in community benefits for the Central-West Orana REZ – provides funding for a range of agricultural technologies, including soil and water sensors, drones, livestock and crop monitoring tools, electric fence monitoring and fuel tank sensors.
Grants can also be used to help fund the connectivity devices that underpin modern farming systems so as to enable producers to access real-time data, automate their operations, and manage assets remotely.
“These grants, available thanks to the Renewable Energy Zone, will help farmers invest in practical technologies that improve productivity, safety and profitability,” said Penny Sharpe, state minister for energy.
