Climate change funding for Vic farmers

The Victorian Government will spend $200-million helping farmers improve productivity and sustainability.

Part of the money will be spent on research and development of drought and salt tolerant crops, new technology and disease control.

The package also includes funding for marketing, weed management and attracting young people to farming.

The Premier, John Brumby says the money will help primary industries cope with the changing environment.

"Research and development is absolutely critical to that," he said.

"This package is really about three things: it's about improving the productive base of agriculture, it's about making our farms more competitive and it's about helping them be more sustainable particularly in the context of climate change."