Grow NTMagazine -NT Farmers - December 2021

+ Grow NT
2021
CRCNA delivering
R&D collaborations in
Top End.
2021
Carla Keith, General Manager CRCNA
The Cooperative Research Centre
for Developing Northern Australia
(CRCNA) continues to deliver
high-impact R&D collaborations
with key industry players from
across the Northern Territory. Here
is a summary of some of our recently
announced projects.
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NT Agricultural supply chains
Minister for Agriculture and Northern
Australia, Hon David Littleproud
officially kicked off the NT agriculture
supply chain project while visiting
Darwin in September.
The project is being led by NT Farmers
and will provide a blueprint for
government and industry on how
supply chains can support the development
of the Territory’s agricultural
export industries.
During his visit, Minister Littleproud
said the collaboration will help the
Territory capitalise on its strategic
location.
De-risking Phase II- NT through
sustainable development precincts
The CRCNA have partnered with
the Northern Territory Government’s
Department of Industry,
Tourism and Trade (DITT) to utilise
a case-study approach to support
improved planning for new priority
agricultural development areas, as
part of new Sustainable Development
Precincts (SDPs) concept for
the NT.
This 3-year project is aiming to derisk
investment in key NT regions
through better planning and development
within SDPs. We expect
the project will significantly lift investment
in agricultural development
across the Top End.
Enhancing water efficiency in the
Territory
NT Farmers are leading the charge
with their project to enhance water
sustainability in the Top End.
Working with their industry part-
ners, Inpex, the Northern Territory
Department of Industry, Tourism
and Trade, Power and Water Corporation,
Territory Natural Resource
Management Inc, Northern Territory
Department of Environment,
Parks and Water and the Australian
Mango Industry Association, NT
Farmers will utilise state of the art
technology to improve water efficiency
and reduce the pressure on
the region’s aquafers.
High tech probes, installed at several
trial sites from Darwin to Katherine
will record what happens to various
crops and soils throughout the
year. The data collected will provide
an efficient guide for industry to follow
regarding its water usage.
The CRCNA’s $250,000 will contribute
towards the first three years of
this project, with funding from other
partners extending the project to
five years. The extra time will enable
NT Farmers and industry to develop
an accurate understanding of crop
water requirements.
New orchard systems tested
We’ve invested $900, 000 in a new
project looking to test how new production
methods for jackfruit, could
save crops from the ravages of cyclones.
Research for our ‘Next generation
systems for tropical crops’ project
is being undertaken at sites across
Northern Australia including Darwin,
Kathrine, Townsville and Innisfail
in far
The project will provide diversification
options for horticultural producers
across the north and give
them confidence to invest in new
productions systems which boost
crop productivity and reduce their
risks associated with tropical cyclones.
To keep up-to-date with the latest
CRCNA news, visit www.crcna.com.
au
NT FARMERS GROW NT MAGAZINE.