Farmers tell of drought devastation (Australia)

[depakid]

MORE than one in five Australian farmers in drought-affected areas have had to pawn or sell something because of lack of money, a study reveals. And more than one-third say farm production is at its lowest level ever.

But, surprisingly, the non-agricultural workers in drought-affected areas have escaped the same level of severe financial hardship, although their incomes have been reduced.

The study, involving 8000 people in rural and regional Australia, is the biggest of its kind undertaken, and comes after the release of CSIRO data showing droughts will become much more frequent in Australia.

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Overall, almost half the farmers in drought areas had experienced at least one form of severe financial hardship, such as an inability to pay the mortgage or having to seek help from a welfare agency. This compared with 25 per cent of workers in non-agricultural sectors in drought-affected areas, some of whom, such as teachers and nurses, are government workers on fixed incomes.

Although the proportion of farmers in drought areas who had had to miss meals because of lack of money was small - at 4 per cent - it was double that for farmers in other areas.

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Dr Edwards said he hoped the study's findings would prove useful to the Federal Government's national review of drought policy which, among other issues, is examining the exceptional circumstances payments system.

More: http://www.smh.com.au/news/water-issues/farmers-tell-of-drought-devastation/2008/07/08/1215282835442.html