Future Drought Fund - Self-assessment tool to assist farmers build drought resilience

• The Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool (DR SAT) will enable primary producers to self-assess their resilience against a range of environmental, economic, and social indicators.
• The tool will be delivered through pilots, with a prototype for extensive end user testing expected mid-year.
• Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu will co-design the technology with farmers.
• DR SAT is a $3 million foundational program from the $5 billion Future Drought Fund.

The innovative Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool is one of the eight foundational programs announced under the Australian Government’s forward-thinking $5 billion Future Drought Fund to build drought resilience. 

An open tender process to identify a provider

was completed by the department in December 2020, with Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu successful. A team of leading risk advisory and IT specialists will work closely with farmers in the design of the Drought Resilience Self-Assessment Tool.

“While our farmers are highly skilled at managing climate variability, the intensity and frequency of drought is a challenge that requires additional support,” Minister Littleproud said. 

“The Tool will enable farmers to self-assess their resilience against a range of environmental, economic and social indicators, as well as identify their future risk exposure under climate scenarios. It will assist farmers to make climate-smart business decisions and identify management approaches that can improve their resilience to drought.  

“The Tool will be delivered through pilots, with a prototype for extensive end user testing expected mid-year. Deloitte will work closely with primary producers to co-design the tool to make sure it is fit-for-purpose and delivers actionable insights.  

“Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu is global leader in climate risk advisory, scenario analysis, economics and digital innovation, including digital decision support. It has significant experience providing analysis and advice to Australian agribusinesses.”

For more details about the Future Drought Fund visit https://www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund 

Fast Facts

• The $5 billion Future Drought Fund provides secure, continuous funding for drought resilience initiatives. It will help Australian farms and communities prepare for the impacts of drought.
• This long-term, sustainable investment will make $100 million available each year to help our farmers and communities become more prepared for, and resilient to, the impacts of drought. 
• On 1 July 2020, the Australian Government announced eight foundational programs for the Fund.
• These programs will help boost the performance of Australian agriculture and increase its resilience to the impacts of drought.