Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia, David Littleproud, said the Australian Government was providing a further $20 million to develop regionally-focused and responsive innovation and adoption strategies and to undertake activities.

"This investment is the next phase in the evolution of the Drought Hubs from being just drought focused to being focused on innovation more broadly," Minister Littleproud said.

"These hubs are key to unlocking the potential of the agricultural innovation system, enabling people to collaborate and deliver regionally targeted productivity gains.

"The hubs will further build connections between researchers, technology developers, investors, producers and agribusinesses to drive innovation and digital technology uptake across industry and the supply-chain.

"The hubs will always be a shopfront for farmers to access innovative technologies and practices that enable them to be more prepared and resilient to drought.

"Now, as part of the National Agricultural Innovation Agenda, we are extending their remit into broader agricultural innovation activities and outcomes."

The key activities of the hubs include developing regionally-focused and responsive innovation and adoption strategies, providing a local "shopfront" to access knowledge, advice and support, and working with researchers to improve their ability to co-design research, so it delivers to end-user needs and context.

For more information about the Drought Hubs visit https://bit.ly/2YAUcVE