Minister for Agriculture, Tony Burke, has granted a total of $37.6 million for 10 research projects, under the Climate Change Research Program.

In July 2008, the Government announced three priorities under the program: reducing greenhouse pollution, improving soil management and adapting to a changing climate.

Funding has already been committed to projects targeting the first two priorities: $21.4 million for research into soil carbon – including $1.4 million to research biochar – $12 million to research nitrous oxide emissions in soil and $26.8 million to reduce emissions from livestock.

This $37.6 million for the third research priority includes $11 million from the Government and contributions from industry research bodies including Meat and Livestock Australia and the Grains Research and Development Corporation.

"Research is the key to unlocking productivity growth in the face of climate change and other global challenges," Mr Burke said.

"We believe farmers are innovative and constantly adapting to make their produce as competitive as possible.

"That is why we reject any projections that assume farmers won't adapt.

"These 10 research projects show how serious our agriculture, fishing and aquaculture industries are about research and adaptation."

Projects will be established in all states and the Northern Territory and will include:

· Developing genetic traits in wheat and sorghum that suit hotter, drier environments with higher levels of carbon dioxide;

· Investigate potential business opportunities and risks from relocating some production systems to northern Australia, including the peanut, processing tomato and rice or cotton industries;

· Research new grape varieties which are more tolerant to extreme weather events associated with climate change;

· Investigate the implications of climate change for our fisheries and aquaculture industry;

· Research to ease heat stress in the dairy, beef and sheep industries in southern Australia.