Drought Resilience Project Launched for NSW Horticulture Sector

A major new drought resilience research initiative for the horticulture sector has been launched in New South Wales, backed by nearly eight million dollars in Federal funding.

The five-year project will focus on practical strategies to help producers manage increasingly variable climate conditions.

Funded through the Future Drought Fund, the program will be led by Charles Sturt University in partnership with the New South Wales Government.

Trial sites will be established at commercial orchards in Batlow and Gulgong, along with additional demonstration sites across key growing regions.

Researchers will test a range of practices, including soil amendments, irrigation strategies and new technologies such as soil moisture monitoring.

Federal Agriculture Minister Julie Collins says the project reflects the need to prepare for future droughts.

She says collaboration between researchers, government and growers will be central to delivering practical outcomes.

Findings will be shared through workshops and field days, aimed at building long-term resilience across the sector.