6 March 2023
A Northern Territory research horticulturist has been selected as one of three participants from Australia set to embark on an international date industry capacity building tour.
Dr Girija Page, a senior research horticulturist from the Arid Zone Research Institute (AZRI) in Alice Springs, will set off today on a round-the-world trip visiting India, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Jordan and Israel.
Supported by AgriFutures Australia and the Australian Date Growers Association (ADGA), the tour is an exciting opportunity to exchange knowledge and learn about date production and supply systems from some of the best facilities overseas.
Date farming is an emerging industry in the Territory and this tour is an excellent opportunity to further educate and support date growth in collaboration with research work that is underway in AZRI. The trip will include travel to research and production facilities that can help advance date production and supply systems in Australia, and in particular the Northern Territory.
Capacity building in date production and supply chains is critical to take the existing date industry forward in the Territory.
Dr Page and the team at AZRI are exploring the commercial potential of many other horticultural crops for the Northern Territory. Research on date growing helps inform farmers about the best varieties to grow to suit the climate and conditions, and also offers support on key industry challenges.
Quotes from Phil Hausler, Senior Executive Director, Agriculture Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
"The Territory's agricultural sector has a significant role to play in our economy and international fact finding missions like this are a win for the Territory."
Quotes attributable to Dr Girija Page, senior research horticulturist, Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade
"It is wonderful opportunity to represent NTG through the overseas date industry capacity building tour. Advancing information on the profitable and sustainable production and supply chains of this high value fruit crop will benefit horticultural systems here in the NT and in Australia."
