In a time of growing concern for the agricultural community, the charity, Rural Aid, is extending a helping hand to farmers.
As the Bureau of Meteorology confirms the arrival of an El Niño event, the organisation is calling on farmers to proactively seek support.
El Niño, a meteorological phenomenon synonymous with scorching temperatures and prolonged dry spells, has the potential to plunge regions into drought conditions.
With the threat of this weather pattern looming, Rural Aid is stepping up its efforts to provide essential aid to those facing the brunt of its impact.
Rural Aid CEO John Warlters said the Bureau’s announcement confirmed many producers’ fears.
“The announcement of the El Nino weather pattern will bring a lot of unwelcome memories to the surface for our farmers, who’ve been anxiously watching land and waterways dry up,” Mr Warlters said.
“Thousands of farmers are already managing their land with a view to drought, but the Bureau’s announcement makes that approach all the more important.”
“The past drought was regarded as the worst in living memory for the majority of the country, and it’s understandable that many farmers are scared of going through that again,” Mr Warlters said.
“We’re encouraging farmers to reach out and register with Rural Aid now.”
Rural Aid offers primary producers a range of assistance measures including financial, hay, drinking water, counselling, and volunteer assistance.
“We’ve already seen a huge increase in requests for emergency hay and household drinking water from farmers right across the country,” Mr Warlters said.
“In the past four months, requests to Rural Aid for emergency drinking water have increased by 240 per cent, and our free water tank offer was exhausted in just four hours with more than 95 applications. We’re aiming to deliver another 50 water tanks by the end of this year to meet demand.
“I’m encouraging farmers who are finding themselves overwhelmed to give our rurally based counselling team a call for a free chat, to make sure they’re in the best possible position they can be to take on the upcoming seasons,” Mr Warlters said.
Primary producers are urged to register online at www.ruralaid.org.au or by calling 1300 327 624.
Rural Aid’s counsellors can be reached at 1300 175 594.
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