Centrefarm Aboriginal Horticulture Limited is a new body established by Aboriginal landowners in Central Australia, to drive the development of horticulture on Aboriginal land. Centrefarm acts as an interface between Aboriginal Landowners and the Horticulture industry.

Emergent opportunities in horticulture in Central Australia with the potential to provide significant economic and employment opportunities for Aboriginal landowners have become apparent in recent years with the development of the table grape industry at Ti Tree.

New research undertaken by the Central Land Council and Northern Territory Government for the CLC Aboriginal Horticulture Strategy has identified at least seven areas of Aboriginal land in Central Australia with climate, soils and ground water supplies considered suitable for commercial horticulture. (Insert Link)

The development of commercial horticulture on Aboriginal land identified by Centrefarm can bring substantial economic and employment benefits to the Northern Territory economy and to the indigenous people of the region.

Resource development of commercial horticulture on Aboriginal land identified by Centrefarm can bring substantial economic and employment benefits to the Northern Territory economy and to the indigenous people of the region. Centrefarm charter includes:

• Services and assistance to Aboriginal landowners in developing horticulture
• Promotion of horticultural development on Aboriginal land
• Developing partnerships or joint ventures
• Liaison with other organisations with expertise and resources
• Providing knowledge, information and expertise to industry participants;
• Environmental sustainability
• Promotion and protection of Aboriginal culture and heritage

Economic development of Aboriginal land by Centrefarm complement’s the statutory role of the CLC by taking a proactive role in :

• Providing a unique portal for horticulture industry operators to cultivate mutually beneficial partnerships with Aboriginal landowners.
• Assisting in the development of horticulture projects;
• Sourcing project funding;
• Conducting negotiations and mediation with Aboriginal landowners, Aboriginal communities, investors and developers; and
• Deliver indigenous training and employment opportunities.

Fulltime professional staff with management, business and negotiation skills provide the Centrefarm services’ complimented by specialised technical, legal and commercial consultants.

Aboriginal landowners of these areas have been consulted and strongly support development of commercial horticulture projects on their land. They see horticulture as having the potential to create significant economic activity on their land and to deliver major benefits by way income, employment and training

Research by NT Department of Business Industry and Resource Development (DBIRD) has identified table grapes, citrus, mangoes, tomatoes, asparagus, dates and other commercial crops suited to Central Australia. The current industry focus in Central Australia is on production of early maturing table grapes grown at Ti Tree, Pine Hill and Rocky Hill south of Alice Springs.

Multiple opportunities exist for both aboriginal landowners and horticulture industry professionals at all levels through the Centrefarm model.