The Nationals’ Member for Mildura, Jade Benham, has announced a $2.5 million commitment towards Birchip Cropping Group’s NEXUS project under an elected Nationals and Liberals Government, supporting agricultural research and helping improve farming practices and productivity.
The $7.5 million NEXUS project will provide accommodation for visiting researchers, students and industry professionals, alongside a dedicated conference and collaboration facility. It will allow researchers to spend more time in Birchip working directly with farmers, helping turn research into practical outcomes in the paddock.
Ms Benham said Birchip Cropping Group’s work had an impact well beyond the local community, supporting growers across the Mallee, Wimmera and North Central regions through independent research, trials and extension services.
“Over the past 30 years, Birchip Cropping Group has made an enormous contribution to agriculture, not just through its impact on farming practices locally, but through its influence on agricultural research and the way that research is put into practice across the sector,” Ms Benham said.
“NEXUS will help bring researchers and farmers together, making it easier to test ideas, share knowledge and put the latest agricultural research into practice.
“With no dedicated accommodation for visiting researchers and students in Birchip, this project will help create more opportunities for people to work alongside local growers and develop solutions to the challenges facing agriculture.
“This is an investment in the future of farming, supporting innovation, drought resilience and more sustainable farming practices across our region.”
Birchip Cropping Group is recognised nationally and internationally for its independent agricultural research and its role in helping farmers adopt new technologies and farming practices to improve farm management and profitability.
The commitment is part of the Nationals and Liberals’ Fair Share Guarantee, which will ensure regional Victoria receives 25 per cent of all new Victorian Government infrastructure funding.
Ms Benham said the policy would help deliver investment in projects that support regional industries and communities.
“Only The Nationals and Liberals in Government will deliver a Fair Share for regional Victoria, backing projects that support our farmers, improve productivity and help our agricultural industries remain strong into the future.”
