SYDNEY, May 16 (Xinhua) -- The government of the Australian state of Victoria has announced additional support funding for drought-affected farmers.
The state government on Friday committed 15.9 million Australian dollars (10.1 million U.S. dollars) for programs to help farmers and communities affected by drought over the upcoming winter.
It came on top of 13.5 million Australian dollars (8.6 million U.S. dollars) in support funding that was announced in September, which the government said has supported over 1,500 farmers.
The new package included funding for on-farm infrastructure grants and financial counselling for farmers in 14 areas in western, central and southern parts of Victoria.
Infrastructure projects eligible for grants included water infrastructure upgrades, grain and fodder storage and drought management tools.
Additionally, the state budget for 2025-26 that will be handed down later in May will include 900,000 Australian dollars (576,777 U.S. dollars) for mental health support for farmers.
"I've heard directly from farmers about the impact drought conditions are having on our communities -- we're continuing to back them with the support they need to tackle the challenging dry conditions across the state," Ros Spence, Victoria's minister for agriculture, said in a statement.
According to data released by meteorological service WeatherZone earlier in May, some areas in southern Australia, including southwest Victoria, received their lowest rainfall on record during the first four months of 2025.
It said that the last two cool seasons were "abnormally dry" in southern Australia and that large areas recorded their driest 15-month and 25-month periods on record. ■