Fourteen Tasmanian farmers have come together to create the Macquarie Settlement Pipeline Partnership in an effort to drought-proof their region. 

The farmers' collective investment of $6 million into an irrigation scheme should enable them to draw 3 megalitres of water per day, according to reports.

The scheme, designed, approved, and built in less than 18 months, has paid dividends, quadrupling the value of agriculture produced on their lands. 

The farmers say the water source has not only improved crop yields but also diversified the types of crops that can be cultivated. 

The partnership buys water from Hydro Tasmania, which passes through the nearby Poatina Power station, offering a reported 98 per cent water security. This has allowed for significant expansion and diversification. 

The success of the irrigation scheme is expected to have broader implications for the future of farming in the region. 

Locals say it has increased profitability, resilience to dry conditions, and, importantly, has made farming an attractive prospect for the younger generation. 

More details are accessible here.