The Australian Wine Research Institute (AWRI) was successful in securing a prestigious grant announced by Senator Joe Ludwig, Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, as part of the first assessment phase of the Carbon Farming Futures Extension and Outreach Program.
The AWRI’s Managing Director, Dr Dan Johnson, said, “This is a significant win for grapegrowers and winemakers in Australia. The securing of this grant enables the latest relevant research undertaken by a vast range of agencies on climate adaptability to be packaged and fast-tracked to grape and wine producers, nationally.”
Dr Mardi Longbottom, AWRI Viticulturist and the person responsible for driving the grant application said, “With this grant, the AWRI is able to deliver a targeted program of climate adaptability information to grape and wine producers in Australia. This highly competitive grant was awarded to the AWRI based on its organisational capacity and proven capability in this area.”
“The grant will enable dissemination of current technical information about greenhouse gas emissions, carbon storage and the Carbon Farming Initiative to stakeholders of the Australian grape and wine sectors and support them to achieve best management practice,” Dr Longbottom said.
Under the first assessment phase of the Australian Government’s Carbon Farming Futures Extension and Outreach Program, the Government will invest in 24 projects valued at $21.3 million. The funding awarded to the AWRI was $750,484 (ex GST).
“We are delighted that the Australian government has recognised the AWRI’s long standing ability to effectively extend information to grapegrowers and winemakers around this country,” Dr Johnson said “and significantly, with this grant, that grape and wine producers will be in a better position to adapt to climate adaptability issues now and in the future.”
For further information contact Rae Blair, AWRI Communication Manager on 0417 810 737 or email: rae.blair@awri.com.au