AGRIBUSINESS Nutrien has donated $200,000 to aid bushfire and flood relief in Australia, including $100,000 to the Victorian Farmers’ Federation’s Disaster Relief Fund and a further $100,000 to Rural Aid.

The company said Nutrien employees have also been donating to a range of charities through the company’s giving portal, with Nutrien pledging to match employee donations to further boost the support for those in affected areas.

Farmers in the impacted areas are encouraged to contact the Victorian Farmers’ Federation and Rural Aid directly to understand and access the assistance available.

Nutrien managing director Adrian Capogreco said Nutrien is deeply embedded in the affected areas, these are towns that our colleagues and customers call home and are key agricultural regions in Australia. “

“The scale of destruction caused by the bushfires and flooding in recent months is enormous and our thoughts are with everyone impacted by these weather events – and the challenge is on-going.

“Nutrien has always stood with our communities in times of crisis, and this $200,000 donation will be used to provide practical and timely assistance via Rural Aid and the Victorian Farmers’ Federation, to Australian farming communities,” he said.

Mr Capogreco said on the ground, Nutrien’s network is also providing practical, emotional and financial support to our customers on a case-by-case basis to ensure we are offering the right assistance, reliability and flexibility during their time of need.

“The journey to recovery will take time. Rebuilding infrastructure, rebuilding herds or flocks, and rebuilding soil health all takes time.

VFF president Brett Hosking with a generator purchased for the Raffy community through the disaster relief fund.

“As families start to count the personal toll of these devastating weather events, we want to make sure they have access to immediate support and that our teams are available on the frontline of the longer-term recovery and rebuilding efforts,” he said.

Rural Aid chief executive officer John Warlters said from travelling through impacted areas to sitting down with producers, their families and local leaders, the strength of these communities has been clear at every turn.

“In the toughest moments, people have rallied to support others, often putting their own families and farms second.

“Rural Aid can help with hay to feed livestock, financial assistance, a chat with a professional counsellor and replacement water infrastructure,” he said.

“The support of businesses like Nutrien means that support is available now, but importantly also into the future as people rebuild their farm enterprises.”

VFF president Brett Hosking said he has seen farming communities almost wiped off the map by the recent bushfires.

“For these areas, there’s no overestimating the amount of support they will need.

“The road to recovery will be a long one and it’s so important we’re there when it matters,” he said.

“The VFF’s Disaster Relief Fund is critical.

“With the generous support of organisations like Nutrien, it allows fire-hit farmers to access grants to replace things such as fencing, pastures, infrastructure and get back on their feet.”

For more information on assistance available, contact Rural Aid: 1300 327 624 or https://www.ruralaid.org.au/

For more information on assistance available, contact the Victorian Farmers’ Federation: 1300 882 833 or register via the website: https://form.jotform.com/260126639887065