FEDERAL Member for Indi, Helen Haines, spoke about her plans to secure the future of farming and reduce emissions.
Speaking from a sheep farm in Euroa owned by young farmer Ed Mercer, Dr Haines announced plans to establish a network of 200 agricultural extension officers that would be located in regional hubs across Australia.
These officers would work with individual farms and assist in the implementation of emissions reduction strategies.
According to Dr Haines, this would allow farmers to benefit from on–the–ground technical support to help them access carbon markets, adopt new low–emissions technologies and retain access to export markets.
Dr Haines identified the necessity to create a plan and provide guidance for farmers making this transition.
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"Agriculture is part of our identity in the Strathbogie shire," she said.
"Things in agriculture continue to change due to it being a science based industry.
"What we have now is a commitment from the Australian government to reach zero net emissions by 2050 and agriculture is a key component in achieving that goal.
"What we don't have is a federal government plan for agriculture in how to achieve that goal."
Under the plan outlined by Dr Haines, extensions officers would work directly with farmers to estimate their emissions and then help to either reduce on–farm emissions or instead earn carbon credits to offset these emissions.
"Many farmers remember what it was like when we had the old ag extension officers," she said.
"They were critical back in the day to help roll out new practices like stubble retention, mixed cropping, and pest management.
"Australian farmers want to take advantage of a new wave of technological change, transforming their business and reducing their emissions.
"My plan is about giving farmers the tools they need to succeed, to grow their business and reduce emissions at the same time."
The proposals made by Dr Haines were supported by sheep farmer and Euroa resident Ed Mercer.
"It would be huge for the farms," he said.
"We're faced with challenges all the time.
"Exports are suffering so if we can do anything to help get our products overseas then we need to do everything we can.
"If people can learn more about how to improve and start acting on it, that would be great."
Carbon credits were one area of particular interest to the farmer.
"There's not always a lot of money in farming and if you're on a smaller scale people don't have the money to spend on capital infrastructure to improve your pastures and carbon output," he said.
"The credits can then help people to spend this money to improve and therefore improve our economy."
Dr Haines says her proposals are also appreciated by the National Farmers Federation (NFF) as they mirror key elements of their election platform.
"The NFF's election platform calls for the next government to establish a long–term extension program to support farmers and landholders to take advantage of new research and technology, mitigation practices and to participate in new markets," she said.
"My proposal is exactly what the NFF has called for."
