A New Norcia, WA, hay enterprise exploring new legume and pasture systems is one of three applicants to receive funding from the McGowan Government's $15 million Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program to establish new soil carbon farming projects.
The Undanooka Soil Carbon Project in WA will receive $155,000 to sow a serradella legume species, a mix of canola and lupins and a clover sub-storey crop to increase nitrogen fixation, root biomass and soil carbon to improve overall soil health and agricultural productivity.
Along with other funding recipients from Katanning and Denbarker, WA, these three projects aim to generate an estimated 119,950 Australian Carbon Credit Units over 25 years through the Australian Emissions Reduction Fund.
The projects will also produce data and information to increase the understanding of soil carbon in WA farmland.
Increasing awareness of carbon farming has been reflected through significant interest in the WA Government's new Carbon for Farmers Voucher program, with 67 vouchers awarded to farmers from Binnu in the north to Esperance in the south.
Vouchers for up to $10,000 will be used to obtain expert advice to develop land management strategies that will inform investment decisions about integrating carbon farming into their business.
Agriculture and Food Minister, Alannah MacTiernan, said the Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program is advancing new ways of farming and doing business that supports farmers with building sustainable operations while capturing the opportunities in the carbon market.
"It is encouraging to see the diversity of projects that are getting left off and the tremendous interest in the Carbon for Farmers Vouchers to access expertise to learn more about carbon farming," MacTiernan said.
"Carbon farming has really cranked up a gear and gained momentum over the past year, as the national and global business community looks increasingly at the primary industries sector to offset carbon emissions," she said.
Climate Action Minister, Reece Whitby, said initiatives such as the Carbon Farming and Land Restoration Program shows WA is serious about acting on climate change.
