Farmers wanting to take care of themselves but needing Government help to make it happen

"At the end of the day, we should be able to look after ourselves."

Tanya Cameron is weary.

The NSW farmer and national president of the Country Women's Association is sick of the drought, and the Government's response to it.

The Macquarie Marshes are a stark reality of the water crisis in NSW.

"We should be able to make enough money to look after ourselves. I think that's what everybody wants to be able to do," she continues.

More than a quarter of Australia's farmers are now eligible for welfare payments for up to four years in every decade.

Based on the value of their assets and income, the Government says 24,000 farmers are now eligible for a fortnightly payment of up to $600.

That's almost 30 per cent of the country's farmers potentially on welfare, for 40 per cent of their careers.

Read the ABC News story by national rural reporter, Kath Sullivan - “Farmers wanting to take care of themselves but needing Government help to make it happen.”