Cluster group will have farmers' backs during adverse eventsTony Benny/Stuff The effects of three years of unrelenting drought show on the hills around Hawarden. Farmers in Canterbury will have more back-up during adverse events like earthquakes and drought with the formation of the Canterbury Primary Industries Adverse Events Cluster Group. Along with Civil Defence, the group will lead the integration of agencies to prepare for and respond to these events in rural Canterbury. READ MORE:* Extra funding for drought-stricken North Canterbury farmers not about money*More tough farmer decisions looming from North Canterbury droughtNorth Canterbury provincial president for Federated Farmers Lynda Murchison is co-chairwoman for the new Canterbury Primary Industries Adverse Events Cluster Group. "In a disaster or adverse event, the new cluster group will mean we are prepared to manage information between farmers and the primary sector with the vital work that CDEM does," she said.

Source: Stuff March 15, 2018 22:07 UTC