The SAF role, which was formerly known as RALF (Regional Agricultural Landcare Facilitator), is forging new facilitation pathways. Last week Wheatbelt NRM Sustainable Agriculture Facilitator and project delivery officer Aimee Ray joined SAF representatives from other NRM groups around Australia to learn about the role’s new directions. The SAF project is funded through the federal government’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) to assist with information delivery and extension of the Australian Agriculture Sustainability Framework. https://aasf.org.au/

The federal government recognises that environmental stewardship, social responsibility and good governance (ESG) is becoming increasingly important to supply chains and export partners, which is shaping the future of agricultural market access. Reducing on farm emissions and undertaking activities that conserve natural capital and sequester carbon are tipped to become crucial to achieving Australia’s collective emissions targets. Good farm stewardship as outlined in the framework will need to be measured and proven in a low carbon future. This of course adds more work to the already overwhelming schedules faced by landholders.

The purpose of the SAFs is to gain training in these subjects and be available to farmers and landholders as an unbiased point of contact for accessing information on climate smart agriculture and environmental and carbon markets.

Many farmers are taking a ‘wait and see’ approach, which is logical since legislation and carbon farming methodologies are still a work in progress. However, we would urge all Wheatbelt landholders to consider what these global changes will mean to the future of our region and how we can capitalise on the opportunities that they provide. Understanding what we already do well and measure, plus which additional data may be needed to demonstrate our ESG credentials, puts regional businesses in a strong position to take action when the time comes. This will ensure that proactive farmers will retain markets, retain low rates for finance and insurance, and of course be more profitable and sustainable long term.

Feel free to call, email and discuss these subjects with the Wheatbelt NRM team SAFs Jacquie Lucas - JLucas@wheatbeltnrm.org.au and Aimee Ray aray@wheatbeltnrm.org.au on 9670 3100