The Western Australian Farmers Federation (Inc.) (WAFarmers) last night launched its ‘Climate Possibilities - Real Solutions’ project, which will assist in the delivery of practical and meaningful information about the current Australian research on climate change impacts to WA landholders.

This project aims to provide the outcomes of local and Australian research on climate change impacts to land managers and support the development and implementation of response strategies. The project is supported by funding from the Australian Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry under FarmReady, part of Australia’s Farming Future.

WAFarmers Land Management and Climate Change spokesperson, Dale Park, noted that the project was a positive step for agriculture in WA and would work to make past, current and future research applicable to land holders.

“WAFarmers has appointed a dedicated Project Officer, Stephanie Faggetter, to help deliver the program.

Mrs Faggetter’s role will see her develop the communication pathways between farmers/industry, government and researchers.

The project, which will operate for 18 months, will see over 24 workshops held across the agricultural region starting with a presentation to the WAFarmers General Section Council today.

“This project is designed to build on WAFarmers strength of open two way communications with its members and the wider agricultural community, taking the outcomes of local and Australian scientific research and relating it back, in real language, to the State’s land managers,” said Mr Park.

In particular, the project will work closely with the WA based Climate Adaptation Program Research Alliance; a partnership between CSIRO, the Department of Agriculture and Food WA, the University of Western Australia, Murdoch University and Curtin University.

WA landholders have, over a ten year period, observed a decrease in rainfall, an increase in the variability of weather and an increase in extreme weather events, requiring a change in farm management practices.

“In this variable environment, the project aims to better equip land managers in decision making and to support change in farm management practices to ensure the long-term sustainability of WA agriculture,” concluded Mr Park.