THE Northern Territory Cattlemen’s Association (NTCA) has welcomed today’s announcement of $8m in funding to support the development of a northern NT/WA drought hub in Darwin.

The Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub in Darwin is one of eight hubs being established around the country through the Australian Government’s $5 billion Future Drought Fund.

Senator for the Northern Territory, Dr Sam McMahon, said that the NT/WA hub will oversee the co-design and delivery of innovative projects and practices aimed at boosting drought resilience and agricultural productivity.

“This Top End Hub will be based at the Charles Darwin University with four nodes in Katherine, Alice Springs, Broome and Perth,” Dr McMahon said.

“The Top End Hub and nodes will be a shopfront for producers to access innovative technologies and practices that will benefit the whole Top End of the Northern Territory and Western Australia agricultural sector with people on the ground.

“The Hub and nodes will engage directly with producers, traditional owners and agribusinesses and take on the challenges of drought.

“The major focus of the Top End Hub will be on co-creating innovative tools, techniques and practices to support producers and their communities to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability in agricultural lands management. I would expect the Hub will work closely with the network of existing research farms in the Northern Territory and Western Australia to avoid duplication.

“Getting regional people working together to ensure research and development is useful for Top End producers and a vital step towards successful drought management in our communities.

“The Hub has a consortium involving the Northern Territory Cattleman’s Association, Kimberley Pilbara Cattlemen’s Association, Northern Territory Farmers Association, Territory Natural Resource Management, the Rangelands NRM Coordinating Group, Regional Development Australia NT and the WA and NT governments.”

Charles Darwin University Vice-Chancellor, Professor Scott Bowman AO, said it was vital to support those primary producers who continue to do it tough and to help prepare them for future seasons.

“Charles Darwin University is thrilled lead the Top End Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub on behalf of our partners,” Professor Bowman said.

“The Hub will empower primary producers with the practical tools and information they need during future dry conditions to maintain productivity, remain competitive and increase community resilience to drought impacts.”

More details on the hubs can be found at this link: www.agriculture.gov.au/ag-farm-food/drought/future-drought-fund/research-adoption-program

‘The starting gun, not the finish line’

“The announcement of this funding is the starting gun, not the finish line. From here it will be up to industry and Charles Darwin University to ensure that the hub delivers on its promise”, NTCA Chief Executive Officer Will Evans said.

Will Evans

“A regionalised approach to drought research, development and adoption (RDA) has been needed for some time.”

 A report commissioned by the Federal Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment last year, recognised that of the 833 programs being run nationally regarding drought resilience, only 21 per cent had a regional focus. These regional projects represented 23 per cent of public funding available for drought RDA.

“Empowering regional businesses and industries to chart their own course and design targeted approaches to improving drought resilience is a positive step and a welcome one from the Federal Government,” Mr Evans said.

“Drought is an unpredictable driver of productivity in the NT’s cattle industry. Preparation for it, and resilience to it, offer real value to the Territory’s regional and remote economies.”

“Continuing to expand agricultural industries, and building our regional and remote communities, remains a key focus for our sector. Meeting increasing demand for the production of safe and clean food and fibre will underpin the growth of our industry and the regions.”