And while some funding help has been announced, she urged leaders to talk to farmers to see how they can better help.

Wade Boughen, who runs family sheep farm Kamora Park Poll Merinos, two hours east of Adelaide, started the petition and just wants more help.

“The amount of money they’ve issued doesn’t really cover too much, we haven’t got anything in relief,” he told 9news.com.au.

“Without timely intervention, we risk irreversible damage.”

South Australian Liberal MP Nicola Centofanti, the opposition primary industries spokeswoman, said the relief package has “missed the mark”.

Last week, she read a letter from a farmer in state parliament, in which a farmer said a farming friend had taken his own life over the stress of the drought.

”There is too much red tape, too much time required to access help and lengthy waiting times for outcomes,” she said.

Clare Scriven, South Australian minister for primary industries and regional development, said in a statement the $73 million drought support package has been “designed in consultation with primary producers, farmers and key industries bodies”.

“I want to get the message out; drought declarations don’t happen,” she said.

“There is an absolute need for people to reach out now because assistance is available.”