The Minns Labor Government has announced a new $25 million investment program designed to help agricultural businesses across New South Wales modernise their operations, scale up production and cut greenhouse gas emissions.
The Agriculture Industries Innovation and Growth Program will offer grants to support projects that are ready to roll, with the aim of helping producers improve productivity, grow revenue, and create new jobs in regional communities.
The Government says the grants will co-fund business-led projects that deliver new technology, equipment, upgraded facilities, or emissions-reducing improvements. Funding ranges from $500,000 to $4 million and is open to agricultural businesses, cooperatives, and for-profit organisations.
Examples of the types of projects that could be supported include:
- Turning agricultural waste into higher-efficiency fertilisers
- Installing equipment for plant-based protein production
- Expanding production of feed additives designed to reduce emissions in the beef sector
- Building technology for new future-fuels production
- Purchasing beverage-processing or packaging equipment for national and export markets
- Adding new produce-processing technology to cut waste and lift output
The program forms part of the Government’s $400 million Regional Development Trust, which focuses on initiatives that strengthen regional economies, attract investment, and support local job creation. It also aligns with existing strategies such as the Investment NSW Trade and Investment Strategy, Farms of the Future (Agtech), and the Net Zero Manufacturing Initiative.
Minister for Agriculture and Regional NSW, Tara Moriarty, said the program is about backing regional industries to grow.
“Investing in agricultural businesses is investing in a key foundation of our regional economies and creating new jobs for the future.
“The Minns Labor Government is committed to growing the agricultural sector in NSW by driving its modernisation, and movement to lower emissions, plus scaling up its ability to export.
“We know smart investments in projects ready to go have immediate positive impacts on the business and the local community. The stock and station brokers, truckers, grain handlers, suppliers, grocery store, mechanic, and bakery, all busier with a thriving local economy.
“We need to keep fostering and accelerating our agricultural businesses to become more digital, more efficient and more sustainable so they can ride the volatility of the changing global environment.”
Applications for the program open Monday 1 December 2025 and close Friday 23 January 2026.
Full guidelines and details are available at nsw.gov.au/aiigp.