The Northern Territory Farmers Association (NT Farmers) represents and advocates for the plant-based industries of the NT. As a peak industry body, NT Farmers promotes agricultural development in the Northern Territory and directly assists growers with a comprehensive range of support services.
NT Farmers is a not for profit association that receives project funding from the public and private sector. The association was formed in 2012 as a result of an amalgamation between the Northern Territory Agricultural and Horticultural Associations.
Northern Australian fruit and vegetable growers are from a diverse group of nationalities, many of which have their roots in South-East Asia, predominantly Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand. NT Farmers Association (NT Farmers) identified the opportunity to enhance the biosecurity knowledge and capability of non-English speaking background (NESB) growers through the In Language
Biosecurity Resources Project.
Northern Australia’s vast, sparsely populated landscapes and over 10,000 km of coastline create distinct biosecurity challenges. The In-Language Biosecurity Resources Project, funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) through the Northern Australia Biosecurity Strategy (NABS), aims to enhance biosecurity awareness and capacity among growers from non- English speaking backgrounds (NESB) across Northern Australia. A suite of biosecurity resources were developed and translated into Vietnamese and Khmer. Assisted by a Steering Committee and strong stakeholder engagement this project has produced:
Integrated Pest Management (IPM) was also identified as a project pillar and a component in the development of resources. The provision of information regarding IPM to the producer network, was undertaken from both a fact and experienced based perspective. The intention was to promote better understanding and integration of IPM with non-English speaking growers. Engagement of NT DAF staff supported IPM resource creation by the provision of imagery, information and participation in one of the videos providing a scientific insight into IPM practices and facilitated on-farm grower engagement.
This project delivered tangible outcomes, empowering and educating NESB growers in Northern Australia. Fundamental to delivering biosecurity messaging is with high community uptake and inter-agency collaboration, the final phase will consolidate resources and ensure legacy impact through accessible, multi-language biosecurity education. Continued investment in NESB grower engagement in Northern Australia.
NT Farmers acknowledges the traditional owners and custodians of country throughout Australia and acknowledges their continuing connection to land, water and community. We pay our respects to the people, the cultures and the elders past, present and emerging. This website is made possible thanks to the NT Government's Community Benefit Fund
