The new fund is part of the $130 million Australia’s Farming Future initiative, announced in the Federal Budget to ensure 'the $38 billion agricultural industries are resilient into the future'.

Federal Agriculture minister, Tony Burke, says the $46.2 million program will target three key priorities:

• Reducing greenhouse pollution

• Better soil management

• Adapting to a changing climate

It follows the release yesterday of a joint report by the CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology showing that in the worst scenario droughts could occur twice as often and cover twice the area.

The program will support research with an emphasis on showing how it can be applied on the ground in agriculture, fisheries, forestry and food industries.

Research which could be funded includes how carbon is stored in soil, new technology, helping primary producers reduce greenhouse pollution and improving productivity in response to climate change.

Specific projects could include research to reduce methane emissions from cattle by changing the animals’ diet or breed, or even by immunising against methane-making microbes.

Expressions of interest will be called shortly for collaborative research proposals which help primary producers to reduce emissions and adapt to climate change.

Large-scale collaborative research proposals covering multiple industry sectors will be encouraged, including partnerships between research providers and farmers using new technology on their properties.

“As yesterday’s CSIRO and Bureau of Meteorology report showed, failing to act on climate change could be catastrophic for those working in our farming, fisheries, forestry and food industries,” Mr Burke said.