King Country River Care, which involves more than 300 sheep, beef and dairy farmers, has been given $844,000 by the Government to improve freshwater quality and farming practices.
The group, which covers just under 1500 square kilometres, includes the Awakino, Mokau, and upper Mangaokewa catchments, while the project brings together the Primary Industries Ministry, the Waikato Regional Council, industry bodies and farm consultancies.
It provides leadership, co-ordination and support to seven sub-catchment groups.
Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor said supporting catchment groups like King Country River Care is an important part of the Government’s focus on cleaning up waterways.
“They and other groups around the country are playing a central role in restoring wetlands, removing sediment and keeping stock from waterways.
“Our long-term future and brand is linked to the health of our waterways. This is because overseas consumers increasingly want greater assurances that the food and fibre they buy is produced in a sustainable way and they’ll pay a premium for it.
“Farmers get that and many have done a huge amount of work to improve their practices over the last 20 years and some of them are leading the way.”
O’Connor said it is important that knowledge is shared and the money will enable King Country River Care to support sub-catchment farmer groups to connect and learn from each other.
The project has an initial focus on increasing the number of farm environment plans, sub-catchment action plans and on-farm field days.
