The workshop identified a number of other key measures which NSW Farmers’ Association president, Charles Armstrong, said would ease a lot of pressure on farmers and rural communities.

“Farmers have displayed enormous resilience and adaptability during one of the worst droughts in history, but this difficult situation is continuing for some farmers in NSW, and we need government to recognise this,” Mr Armstrong said.

“In the short term, we want to see government ensure the continuation of Exceptional Circumstance support measures for farmers with a revision of current eligibility criteria.

“Government needs to recognise that drought affects the entire community, and as such they need to provide support to our communities as well."

Yesterday’s Griffith workshop, involved more than 50 key farming stakeholders including solicitors, accountants, banks, social support networks, State government departments and others.

It followed a meeting of over 140 farmers in Lake Cargelligo on Tuesday night, held to establish gaps and shortcomings in current measures from a grass roots perspective.

“Despite the numerous organisations present, the measures identified came through clearly and consistently from all, as did a positive message of commitment to our industry,” Mr Armstrong said.

“We acknowledge farmers and communities need to start planning for the medium term, but we need additional measures to support the next agricultural season when there are limited financial opportunities.

“Medium term, there is a desperate need for investment in research, development and extension not to mention a need for a strategy to recognise the critical value of agriculture to the Australian economy.

“This would go a long way to protecting our vital industry, but we also need to encourage our younger farmers to stay and join farming because without them we have no future.

“We need a long term vision for agriculture to provide reassurance for continued investment in the industry, and assist in the recognition within the broader community of the value of farming.”

Full coverage of the Griffith workshop in The Land next week.