More than 500 applications have been received from universities, land managers, industry and government agencies for the Federal Government's funding program to test and develop new ways for farmers to reduce carbon emissions.

 

In a Senate Estimates hearing the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry confirmed the government had received at least 240 applications for the first round of the $99 million Action on the Ground program under the Carbon Farming Futures Fund.

 

A further 235 applications had been received for the first round $201 million Filling the Research Gap program, also part of the Carbon Farming Futures Fund which is a key component of the Clean Energy Future plan.

 

The $99 million Action on the Ground Program helps industry and farming groups test and apply research outcomes in real farming situations. Applications include proposals to demonstrate practices in the livestock, dairy, viniculture, cropping and poultry industries to undertake on-farm projects.

 

The $201 million Filling the Research Gap Program funds research into new technologies and practices for land managers to reduce emissions and store soil carbon. Applications cover reducing methane emissions, reducing nitrous oxide emissions, increasing soil carbon and improving modelling capability.

 

Further  applications have been received for biochar research, which is part of the Carbon Farming Initiative.

 

The $2 million Biochar Capacity Building Program, which supports research into how biochar and integrated biochar systems can be used in Australia to mitigate emissions, has received 29 applications.

 

The research proposals are undergoing assessment and will be ranked by merit.

 

More information on these programs is available at www.daff.gov.au/about/current-grants.

More information on the Carbon Farming Initiative is available at www.climatechange.gov.au/cfi.