❓ Hon Robin Chapple questions the Minister for Agriculture and Food regarding funding for bush food research, particularly gubinge, compared to cotton industry research, and the support provided to Aboriginal communities in developing bush food industries. The Minister outlines the department's approach to scoping opportunities and leveraging research dollars.
AnsweredQoN 1457Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
I refer to question without notice No. 253, asked in the Legislative Council on Wednesday, 11 April 2018, with the answer tabled in Parliament on 12 June 2018, regarding an article in The Kimberley Echo on Friday, 27 October 2017, titled "Crop research project aims to grow farm profit", and ask: (a) with reference to part (6), which asked 'how much funding has been provided to investigate bush foods, such as gubinge, which is recognised as a postitive industry for traditional owners in the Kimberley', and the answer provided by the Minister as 'Supporting growth of Aboriginal
agriculture, including the development of bush foods’ nutritional and
pharmaceutical markets is a major priority of the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development. Through both the Pilbara and Kimberley
Development Commissions, we are working closely with Aboriginal pastoral estate
and other Aboriginal stakeholders to progress bush foods’ harvesting
opportunities.': (i) how is the department supporting Aboriginal
people and others to develop the bush foods and products industries; and (ii) given the $1.8 million provided to cotton
industry research, how much is being provided to supporting traditional owners
develop bush foods like gubinge; and (b) if the answer to (a)(i) and (a)(ii) is none, will the Minister please explain to the House why?
agriculture, including the development of bush foods’ nutritional and
pharmaceutical markets is a major priority of the Department of Primary
Industries and Regional Development. Through both the Pilbara and Kimberley
Development Commissions, we are working closely with Aboriginal pastoral estate
and other Aboriginal stakeholders to progress bush foods’ harvesting
opportunities.': (i) how is the department supporting Aboriginal
people and others to develop the bush foods and products industries; and (ii) given the $1.8 million provided to cotton
industry research, how much is being provided to supporting traditional owners
develop bush foods like gubinge; and (b) if the answer to (a)(i) and (a)(ii) is none, will the Minister please explain to the House why?
AnswerView source ↗
Answered
12 September 2018
Responded by
Minister for Agriculture and Food
Response time
10 days
(a) (i) The development and expansion of the native foods industry is a priority for the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD). DPIRD is scoping out the opportunity and work programs to target the most prospective opportunities, and value add to the existing industry work to support the development of the bushfood industry. Once this is identified, DPIRD will be in a position to ensure that out investment is targeted and maximised in on ground activities, research and value add processes.
(ii) Native foods are a key research theme for the development of a new Western Australian Tropical Agricultural Research Initiative (WATARI). DPIRD is working through the detailed proposal for WATARI and will be seeking to maximise and leverage research dollars available to Aboriginal projects focusing on local bush foods like gubinge, together with the Research and Development Corporations and industry partners.
The Cooperative Research Centre for Northern Australia (CRCNA), of which DPIRD is an invested project partner, recently invested $500,000 as a funding contribution to the Improving the efficiency of Kakadu Plum value chains project. The Kimberley Institute (Broome based) is a partner in this project and will be working with Traditional Owners across the West Kimberley and Dampier Peninsula.
(b) The development of native foods is an emerging industry with significant complexities and is operating at a smaller scale not found in more established industries. DPIRD is cognisant of these complexities and is progressively working through these matters as a precursor to better targeting its support and investment arrangements to develop viable business opportunities for Aboriginal people.
(ii) Native foods are a key research theme for the development of a new Western Australian Tropical Agricultural Research Initiative (WATARI). DPIRD is working through the detailed proposal for WATARI and will be seeking to maximise and leverage research dollars available to Aboriginal projects focusing on local bush foods like gubinge, together with the Research and Development Corporations and industry partners.
The Cooperative Research Centre for Northern Australia (CRCNA), of which DPIRD is an invested project partner, recently invested $500,000 as a funding contribution to the Improving the efficiency of Kakadu Plum value chains project. The Kimberley Institute (Broome based) is a partner in this project and will be working with Traditional Owners across the West Kimberley and Dampier Peninsula.
(b) The development of native foods is an emerging industry with significant complexities and is operating at a smaller scale not found in more established industries. DPIRD is cognisant of these complexities and is progressively working through these matters as a precursor to better targeting its support and investment arrangements to develop viable business opportunities for Aboriginal people.
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