A $250 MILLION sustainable agriculture research center will be created as part of the Greens agricultural policy and the party has promised to reinstate a $25 million program to support carbon farming.

The party also pledged to create thousands of agricultural jobs by rapidly expanding the nascent hemp, cannabis and seaweed sectors and reforming organic labeling to protect growers.

Greens for Agriculture spokesman Peter Whish-Wilson said while farmers approve of the mission reduction targets, with most leading industry bodies setting their own ambitious targets, the Coalition has sabotaged climate policy.

“Few industries are more affected by climate disruptions to ecosystems and biodiversity than agriculture,” said Senator Whish-Wilson.

“I have met many farmers who care deeply about their land, understand the changes they see around them and want to do their part for climate action.

“But the seven-year sabotage of climate policy by Liberals and Nationals continues to shoot farmers in the foot.”

Senator Whish-Wilson said that in crafting Greens farm policy, the party listened to farmers and scientists and planned to pay for the promises by making billionaires and big corporations pay their fair share of taxes and by canceling subsidies to big polluters.

The $250 million research center would invest in sustainable agricultural solutions, including organic, biodynamic and regenerative agriculture, with statewide agricultural training centers to spread knowledge.

It would also study new technologies such as plant-based protein alternatives, methane-reducing dietary supplements, precision farming, and new biological solutions to increase carbon reduction.

“The Greens plan for regenerative agriculture aims to improve the resilience of farms and farmers to extreme weather events, while keeping farms economically viable and our environment healthy,” said Senator Whish-Wilson.

The Carbon Farming Futures program would be reinstated, providing $25 million each year to develop on-farm carbon projects.

Before the grant program was scrapped by the Coalition in 2016, Senator Whish Wilson said more than $139 million had been distributed to more than 200 projects across the country.

“By restoring funding to this program, we will see hundreds more carbon reduction projects start,” he said.

“Farmers are an important part of the climate solution and benefit from climate action in many ways.”

The global hemp market is expected to grow from $3.5 billion to $26.6 billion by 2025.

Senator Whish-Wilson said the sector was a significant opportunity for Australia and his party wanted to spur industry growth by investing $20 million to support partners and research.

The Greens also want to remove regulatory barriers to hemp production, as well as any unnecessary restrictions on patients’ access to medical cannabis, to allow the “underutilized” domestic market to grow.

The Greens will support increased investment in access to algae in aquaculture, funding a cooperative research center with $50 million from the federal government.

A $10 million organic advisory service would be set up to help farmers understand organic alternatives and certification requirements.