A $100,000 drought relief package for Southland and Otago farmers has been announced by the Agriculture Minister.
Otago is in drought. (File photo). Photo: 123rf.com
Damien O'Connor today classified the drought conditions in Southland, Clutha and Queenstown Lakes districts as a medium-scale adverse event, which he said acknowledged the challenging conditions facing farmers and growers in the area.
Rainfall on the south coast has been the lowest since records began 50 years ago and some rivers are at levels only seen about every 80 years, he said.
"The drought coupled with pandemic disruption to meat processing has contributed to added strain on people."
The funds will go to the Southland and Otago Rural Support Trusts to help with both one-on-one support and community events, with extra technical advice also available from industry groups, including feed planning advice.
"Rural Support Trusts, Federated Farmers, other primary sector groups and councils have been meeting for some weeks and offering a range of support for farmers. This Government support means they can go that extra mile," O'Connor said.
He added that the Government was working in partnership to strengthen the climate resilience of the sector in future.
"Our primary sector is crucial to our economic recovery from Covid-19. While currently returning record exports, the sector is exposed to climatic events, and where we can support them through we will."