The Member for Parkes, Mark Coulton, welcomed the Coalition Government funding, as part of a $1.3 million grant round to support new cooperative and collaborative business arrangements and boost farmgate returns.

“This will lead to the elimination of production and supply barriers that currently prevent local farmer groups from implementing transformative grain production methods and the formation of a wide range of localised producer groups across Australia that are linked by common knowledge and aligned but not identical practices,” he said.

“The Coalition Government is helping more farm businesses to get their co-operative off the ground and enjoy the benefits these provide.

“Co-operatives support better and fairer farmgate returns, allowing farmers to pool their resources and gain greater control of the supply chain and more bargaining power.

“We want farmers right across the country to have access to information and experts needed to properly consider whether a co-operative or collaborative arrangement is right for them.

The Coalition Government’s $13.8 million Farm Co-operatives and Collaboration Pilot Program, delivered through Southern Cross University, funded this grant round.

Mr Coulton said the pilot also provides a range of information, resources and expert advice and assistance to help farm businesses make up their own minds about what’s best for them.

“This is yet another initiative delivered through the Government’s $4 billion Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper.”

For more information on the grant recipients visit farmingtogether.com.au