MEMBER for Northern Tablelands Adam Marshall is urging the region’s farmers to apply for a reimbursement as part of theState Government’s $45 million Farm Business Skills Professional Development Program, which supports farmers to upskill and develop farm business plans.
The program enables primary producers to claim reimbursements costs for vocational training and farm business planning, with a maximum of $5,000 per farmer, and $9,000 per farm business, claimable over the next five years.
Mr Marshall said the $45 million program was a core component of the government’s broader $300 million NSW Drought Strategy.
“I encourage our region’s farmers to take up this program, whether through improving their financial or business management skills or planning and drought preparedness,” Mr Marshall said.
“Farming is the backbone of our communities and it is important that our primary producers are equipped with the best knowledge and skills to ensure their businesses are prepared to manage risks, like drought.”
Mr Marshall said the funding could be also used for the preparation and planning that is required to apply to service providers for multi-peril insurance.
From today, service providers are encouraged to apply to the Rural Assistance Authority (RAA), with a list of courses that are pre-approved to be placed on the RAA website in coming weeks.
Separate to the pre-approved courses, from today primary producers are also able to apply to the RAA for approval for other vocational training or farm business planning service providers that meet their needs and are within the guidelines
The program guidelines have been developed through extensive consultation with NSW Farmers’, Local Land Services, the Rural Assistance Authority and the Department of Primary Industries.
For more information or to apply, visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au