1 00:00:00,680 --> 00:00:03,160 Speaker 1: Three sixty with Katie Wolf on Mixed one oh four 2 00:00:03,200 --> 00:00:06,640 Speaker 1: point nine thanks to Joyce Main Darwin. And we know 3 00:00:06,760 --> 00:00:09,440 Speaker 1: that a lot of businesses around the Northern Territory are 4 00:00:09,440 --> 00:00:12,520 Speaker 1: having to diversify and do things a bit differently in 5 00:00:12,600 --> 00:00:14,840 Speaker 1: order to kind of, you know, I keep things moving 6 00:00:14,920 --> 00:00:18,919 Speaker 1: and to try and get people visiting the territory, particularly 7 00:00:19,000 --> 00:00:21,520 Speaker 1: when you talk about our tourism industry, but when you 8 00:00:21,640 --> 00:00:25,159 Speaker 1: talk about our farming industry, it's no different. And we 9 00:00:25,239 --> 00:00:27,920 Speaker 1: know that as part of a concerted effort really to 10 00:00:28,000 --> 00:00:32,040 Speaker 1: bring valuable tourism dollars to regional Australia and also help 11 00:00:32,080 --> 00:00:36,479 Speaker 1: our farmers diversify their income, AIRB and B is teaming 12 00:00:36,560 --> 00:00:40,199 Speaker 1: up with our peak farming organizations across a number of 13 00:00:40,240 --> 00:00:42,720 Speaker 1: states and joining me on the line right now to 14 00:00:42,720 --> 00:00:45,680 Speaker 1: tell us a bit more about this. NT Farmers CEO 15 00:00:46,240 --> 00:00:49,279 Speaker 1: Paul Burke, Good morning, Paul, Good. 16 00:00:49,040 --> 00:00:50,599 Speaker 2: Morning, Katie, Good morning listeners. 17 00:00:50,680 --> 00:00:55,120 Speaker 1: Mate. This sounds really interesting what exactly our farmer's NT 18 00:00:55,320 --> 00:00:57,320 Speaker 1: farmer is going to be doing with AIRB and B. 19 00:00:58,520 --> 00:01:02,360 Speaker 2: So we've created a partnership with AIRB and B in 20 00:01:02,400 --> 00:01:07,399 Speaker 2: the Northern Territory to assist farmers to look at ways 21 00:01:07,440 --> 00:01:12,880 Speaker 2: to diversify their income streams and potentially put another string 22 00:01:12,920 --> 00:01:16,240 Speaker 2: in their bow. We know that some of our farms 23 00:01:16,280 --> 00:01:19,320 Speaker 2: are located in some really beautiful parts of the Northern Territory, 24 00:01:19,360 --> 00:01:24,120 Speaker 2: so there's an opportunity there to harness those natural assets 25 00:01:24,400 --> 00:01:27,240 Speaker 2: and create a business on the side that can potentially 26 00:01:27,280 --> 00:01:34,360 Speaker 2: support their their business in drought times and difficult times. 27 00:01:34,400 --> 00:01:38,000 Speaker 2: So that diversification, so multiple income streams on the farm. 28 00:01:38,720 --> 00:01:41,040 Speaker 1: I reckon this sounds like a great idea, you know, 29 00:01:41,440 --> 00:01:44,360 Speaker 1: for us townies that maybe don't get out to, you know, 30 00:01:44,520 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 1: to some of those more rural locations at different times. 31 00:01:47,840 --> 00:01:50,280 Speaker 1: I just think it sounds like a really different kind 32 00:01:50,320 --> 00:01:53,280 Speaker 1: of way to be able to experience the Northern Territory 33 00:01:53,360 --> 00:01:55,400 Speaker 1: or indeed, you know, different parts of Australia. 34 00:01:56,520 --> 00:01:59,880 Speaker 2: That's exactly right, Katie, and we see there's an opportunity 35 00:01:59,920 --> 00:02:03,640 Speaker 2: for us to integrate better with people from the town 36 00:02:04,240 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 2: so they know what we do out in the country. 37 00:02:05,760 --> 00:02:09,120 Speaker 2: So when we're having those hard discussions around water use 38 00:02:09,280 --> 00:02:12,640 Speaker 2: or land clearing or whatever it is, they actually have 39 00:02:12,760 --> 00:02:15,520 Speaker 2: some empathy and they understand what we're trying to do 40 00:02:15,560 --> 00:02:17,920 Speaker 2: out in the country and it's a different holiday. Maybe 41 00:02:18,120 --> 00:02:20,720 Speaker 2: we'll get some of them convinced to pick mangoes. 42 00:02:20,320 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 1: While they're there working holiday. Look, I reckon. It's like 43 00:02:25,800 --> 00:02:27,560 Speaker 1: I say, I reckon, it's a really good idea, and 44 00:02:27,639 --> 00:02:29,880 Speaker 1: I'd sort of thought about it. I've got family that have, 45 00:02:30,360 --> 00:02:33,560 Speaker 1: you know, larger properties around Cans and Tully. I think 46 00:02:33,560 --> 00:02:35,359 Speaker 1: you and I have spoken about that before, and you 47 00:02:35,960 --> 00:02:37,760 Speaker 1: sort of go, it's a really you know, it is 48 00:02:37,800 --> 00:02:42,920 Speaker 1: a really different way of experiencing some of these locations. 49 00:02:43,360 --> 00:02:48,079 Speaker 2: Oh absolutely, And I think people will be surprised at 50 00:02:48,080 --> 00:02:52,200 Speaker 2: how those operations work and just seeing a farm working 51 00:02:52,280 --> 00:02:56,520 Speaker 2: and being in that area will be invaluable. And you know, 52 00:02:56,600 --> 00:02:59,040 Speaker 2: I take my little one to farms all the time. 53 00:02:59,600 --> 00:03:01,200 Speaker 2: You know, she gets a real buzz out of it, 54 00:03:01,280 --> 00:03:03,000 Speaker 2: and you know, she gets right on a tractor and 55 00:03:03,000 --> 00:03:04,920 Speaker 2: do a whole different thing. So I think we can 56 00:03:04,960 --> 00:03:08,960 Speaker 2: create some really exciting holiday experiences for people to come 57 00:03:09,000 --> 00:03:09,760 Speaker 2: up to the territory. 58 00:03:09,840 --> 00:03:13,240 Speaker 1: Yeah, one hundred percent. Now, how are things going for 59 00:03:13,320 --> 00:03:15,480 Speaker 1: you guys at the moment? I know that you know, 60 00:03:15,560 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 1: I've heard reports in recent days about the mango season 61 00:03:18,560 --> 00:03:23,040 Speaker 1: that being you know, there has been a certainly a 62 00:03:23,160 --> 00:03:25,239 Speaker 1: loss comparatively to other years. 63 00:03:26,639 --> 00:03:29,120 Speaker 2: Yeah it was last year, was it last season is 64 00:03:29,160 --> 00:03:31,240 Speaker 2: certainly a very difficult season. But we've got a very 65 00:03:31,280 --> 00:03:35,480 Speaker 2: strong wet season this year, and all indications moving forward 66 00:03:35,520 --> 00:03:37,720 Speaker 2: is it's going to be a bumper crop. So I 67 00:03:37,720 --> 00:03:40,880 Speaker 2: guess we'll be talking about workforce for the rest of 68 00:03:40,880 --> 00:03:41,680 Speaker 2: this year as well. 69 00:03:41,920 --> 00:03:43,800 Speaker 1: Yeah, I was going to say, in terms of those 70 00:03:44,160 --> 00:03:47,160 Speaker 1: those pickers and packers, you know, is it looking like 71 00:03:47,240 --> 00:03:49,920 Speaker 1: it's it's you know, going to be more manageable with 72 00:03:49,960 --> 00:03:51,760 Speaker 1: some of the agreements that are in place now with 73 00:03:51,840 --> 00:03:53,680 Speaker 1: the federal government and the territory government. 74 00:03:55,520 --> 00:03:57,440 Speaker 2: So the pathways are there, we've just got to make 75 00:03:57,480 --> 00:04:01,680 Speaker 2: sure that they're workable and we can actually access them. 76 00:04:01,760 --> 00:04:05,320 Speaker 2: We've got twenty team or less day people arriving today 77 00:04:05,400 --> 00:04:09,400 Speaker 2: to assist with the melon season, and we're hopeful that 78 00:04:09,400 --> 00:04:11,680 Speaker 2: we're going to bring twenty in a week for the 79 00:04:11,720 --> 00:04:16,320 Speaker 2: next twelve weeks to get the melons off and get 80 00:04:16,320 --> 00:04:19,839 Speaker 2: them into the supermarkets and into the shop so Territorians 81 00:04:19,839 --> 00:04:20,719 Speaker 2: can enjoy a melon. 82 00:04:21,080 --> 00:04:23,400 Speaker 1: And will that be enough, you reckon, Paul? Will that 83 00:04:23,520 --> 00:04:25,080 Speaker 1: go far enough? Hopefully it does. 84 00:04:26,160 --> 00:04:28,240 Speaker 2: It'll go far enough for the melon season, but we 85 00:04:28,279 --> 00:04:30,400 Speaker 2: will need to bring at least seven hundred and fifty 86 00:04:30,440 --> 00:04:33,760 Speaker 2: people in under the seasonal worker program to get through 87 00:04:33,960 --> 00:04:36,760 Speaker 2: the mango season. So we're already starting to work with 88 00:04:36,839 --> 00:04:39,599 Speaker 2: government to work those pathways out well. 89 00:04:39,640 --> 00:04:43,080 Speaker 1: In the meantime, any Territorians out there thinking about maybe, 90 00:04:43,360 --> 00:04:45,240 Speaker 1: you know, getting out to a farm, having a bit 91 00:04:45,279 --> 00:04:47,760 Speaker 1: of a farm stay, that is sort of a different 92 00:04:47,760 --> 00:04:50,440 Speaker 1: way of maybe trying to help some of our wonderful 93 00:04:50,480 --> 00:04:52,799 Speaker 1: farmers to diversify their income. 94 00:04:54,000 --> 00:04:57,880 Speaker 2: Yeah, absolutely so any farmers that want more information jump 95 00:04:57,920 --> 00:05:02,799 Speaker 2: onto our Facebook page Farmers and we've got a workshop 96 00:05:02,920 --> 00:05:05,360 Speaker 2: on the nineteenth of March at three o'clock to give 97 00:05:05,360 --> 00:05:07,840 Speaker 2: you all the information if it's something that interests you 98 00:05:07,880 --> 00:05:08,520 Speaker 2: with your business. 99 00:05:09,040 --> 00:05:11,479 Speaker 1: Have you had many interested at this point? 100 00:05:12,360 --> 00:05:16,640 Speaker 2: Actually we have. It's interesting and where those calls are 101 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,719 Speaker 2: coming from, they're coming from a pretty diverse range of people. 102 00:05:19,800 --> 00:05:22,599 Speaker 2: So I think it'll be quite successful. And you know, 103 00:05:22,640 --> 00:05:24,640 Speaker 2: it may not be for everyone, but I'm sure we'll 104 00:05:24,680 --> 00:05:25,880 Speaker 2: get some success in there. 105 00:05:26,080 --> 00:05:29,279 Speaker 1: Yeah. Any locations Paul that you reckon are a must 106 00:05:29,360 --> 00:05:31,800 Speaker 1: see or just everywhere really around the territory. 107 00:05:32,080 --> 00:05:36,440 Speaker 2: Wow, it's the territory, so you know everywhere you go 108 00:05:36,520 --> 00:05:37,960 Speaker 2: there's something beautiful to see and do. 109 00:05:38,160 --> 00:05:40,880 Speaker 1: Yeah, o spot on. I think it's a really good 110 00:05:40,880 --> 00:05:43,120 Speaker 1: idea and I hope that you know that lots of 111 00:05:43,120 --> 00:05:45,280 Speaker 1: our farmers get to get on board, but also that 112 00:05:45,440 --> 00:05:48,120 Speaker 1: heaps of Territorians decide that it's you know, a bit 113 00:05:48,120 --> 00:05:49,640 Speaker 1: of a different holiday and worth doing. 114 00:05:50,279 --> 00:05:52,200 Speaker 2: Thanks Katie, and thanks listeners. 115 00:05:51,839 --> 00:05:53,880 Speaker 1: No worries. It all good on your Paul. Thank you 116 00:05:54,200 --> 00:05:58,120 Speaker 1: Paul Burke there nt Farmers CEO. And I tell you 117 00:05:58,160 --> 00:05:59,919 Speaker 1: what the reason that I reckon it would be so 118 00:06:00,120 --> 00:06:03,039 Speaker 1: thing that's a bit different and worth a go. I 119 00:06:03,160 --> 00:06:05,640 Speaker 1: referred then obviously to my family in Tully, but we 120 00:06:06,480 --> 00:06:08,960 Speaker 1: took the kids to Tully and one of my cousins 121 00:06:09,000 --> 00:06:11,840 Speaker 1: has got a much bigger property there just outside of Cans, 122 00:06:11,920 --> 00:06:14,039 Speaker 1: or a couple of hours outside of Cans. You know, 123 00:06:14,080 --> 00:06:16,320 Speaker 1: the kids rode on the quad bikes. They were able 124 00:06:16,360 --> 00:06:19,360 Speaker 1: to you know, see the kelpies sort of rounding up 125 00:06:20,040 --> 00:06:23,200 Speaker 1: the small head of cattle that they've got and able 126 00:06:23,240 --> 00:06:25,920 Speaker 1: to kind of experience things that they don't really get 127 00:06:25,960 --> 00:06:28,760 Speaker 1: the opportunity to do in their day to day lives 128 00:06:28,920 --> 00:06:31,400 Speaker 1: here in Darwin. You know, even things like having a 129 00:06:31,440 --> 00:06:34,159 Speaker 1: swim in the creek that was on that property as well. 130 00:06:34,200 --> 00:06:36,440 Speaker 1: It's just a nice way of doing things and sort 131 00:06:36,440 --> 00:06:38,760 Speaker 1: of taking you back to the basics. I guess of 132 00:06:39,320 --> 00:06:41,880 Speaker 1: how many of us might say that we know lived 133 00:06:41,920 --> 00:06:44,160 Speaker 1: when we were younger, or the way that you're able 134 00:06:44,160 --> 00:06:46,640 Speaker 1: to live a little bit more freely when we were 135 00:06:46,640 --> 00:06:48,160 Speaker 1: in our younger years.