Four Otago groups have secured Government grants to investigate community irrigation and water storage schemes.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry has allocated $390,000 under its Community Irrigation Fund to seven schemes, including the Strath Taieri Irrigation scheme, Dairy Creek Irrigation scheme, Mount Ida Dam and Tarras Community Water Scheme.
Two others are in Canterbury and the other in the Wairarapa.
MAF director-general Murray Sherwin said in a statement the $6.4 million fund aimed to help rural communities adapt to climate change and reduce the risk of water shortages.
The money can meet 50% of valid costs and can be put towards paying for support staff, promotional and communication activities, developing a prospectus for potential investors, investigating funding arrangements, facilitating farmer investment and to investigate multiple use of water.
