As 2019 ended, farmers and regional communities in the state's north were assessing the impact of the catastrophic bushfires.
As 2020 began we saw the ongoing threat to regional communities in the south.
After a year that was the hottest and driest on record, farmers across NSW are wondering when the rain will come.
There may be some respite this week - but more will be needed.
Farmers and communities across NSW were wondering where they would access essential water - for their families and for their stock - then the fires descended.
But while the devastation of the fires is so much in the minds of the broader community, NSW Farmers is not forgetting the needs of farmers who are battling deepening drought.
For some this has been their reality for the past five to six years.
Agriculture is a significant economic contributor. NSW agricultural production is worth over $14.5 billion annually.
NSW agricultural exports are valued at over $6 billion.
On a local level, agriculture is a major employer and a significant contributor to tourism, as local businesses showcase high quality food and fibre in local restaurants and farmers' markets.
While the focus is rightly on recovery from the bushfires, it is important to remember that across the state farmers are making hard decisions - where to access fodder and water to maintain core breeding stock, how to keep fruit trees alive, when should valuable seed be planted in the hope of a harvestable crop in six to eight months' time.
NSW Farmers thanks the community for their generous response to those affected by bushfires.
We acknowledge the Prime Minister's commitment of grants up to $75,000 for primary producers.
Equally, we recommit to farmers facing the ongoing hardship of drought and to ongoing advocacy on your behalf.
