Grants Supporting Agribusinesses To Be More Sustainable

The Victorian Government's Agriculture Energy Investment Plan (AEIP) offers grants up to $250,000 to install infrastructure and technology that will make farms more competitive and protect local jobs.

In addition to grant funding, the AEIP supports farm businesses better understand their on-farm energy usage and how to reduce it.

This includes free on-farm energy assessments to assist farmers in identifying how they can improve energy efficiency and productivity, as well as research partnerships, demonstrations of energy-efficient technology on-farm, and educational resources for producers on alternative energy options.

Under the AEIP, 546 grants totalling $29 million have been awarded so far and almost 1,370 on-farm energy assessments have been completed, valued at $12 million.

The Government is protecting and strengthening the future of agriculture through the 10-year Agriculture Strategy, building a more resilient, energy efficient and internationally competitive sector that is well-placed to respond to climate change.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas today visited Meredith Dairy in western Victoria, one of several businesses benefitting from the AEIP. Under the AEIP, family-run business Meredith Dairy received a $250,000 grant to support its investment in a biomass energy unit, a solar power system and cool room upgrade.

“Energy is a significant cost for many farmers – we are working to put money back in farmers pockets by supporting them to improve energy efficiency on-farm and take action on climate change.” Minister Thomas said.

Eligibility and Funding

The Agriculture Energy Investment Plan includes three components to the grants:

• Fast-Track Rebate – grants of up to $20,000 for farm businesses that have received a Type 1 or Type 2 on-farm energy assessment through the Agriculture Energy Investment Plan

• Tier 1 – grants of between $20,000 and $50,000 for equipment upgrades

• Tier 2 – grants of between $50,000 and $250,000 for projects seeking equipment or process improvements in a connected way across farming systems

Grants will be provided on a 'dollar for dollar' cash co-contribution basis. Recipients are required to contribute at least 50 per cent of the total cash costs of the project.

Key Dates

Applications for on-farm energy grants are open and will close on 15 December 2021.

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For more information, visit Agriculture Victoria.