One could be excused for thinking governments aren't listening.

The federal government has focused on loans, cheaper interest rates on them and longer repayment periods in its drought aid packages.

Farmers insist more debt is the last thing they need.

Bogan Shire mayor Ray Donald said this week a "pretty low" loan take-up showed financial aid wasn't getting through to "people in a very serious natural disaster situation". He cited "severe criteria" to access loans.

He indicated authorities had failed to treat droughts as disasters as they did floods and fires. The Abbott and Baird governments announced grants to storm-hit farmers in the Hunter and Central Coast in June.

Mr Donald's message is simple: ditch loans and bring back grants for drought-hit farmers.

One would expect even governments might get it.

So far, governments have ignored pleas from the drought-wrecked shires of Walgett, Bourke and Brewarrina to be declared a natural disaster zone and supporting calls for action from NSW Farmers.

A declaration would trigger an automatic aid package.

Many farmers have not had earnings for years. They can't pay today's bills. They don't need debt.

The governments should explain why a four-year drought is not a disaster and why grants are not a priority. Or should Western farmers be hoping for floods instead of rain?