Natasha Griggs (Solomon, Country Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

There is enormous potential for developing and expanding the Territory's horticultural industry and its capacity to be a major revenue source in the Top End. While there is a lot of talk about developing north Australia as the nation's food bowl, the jury is out on the Territory's capacity for development of broadacre crops such as rice and wheat. But what is well known in our part of the world is the wonderful work a number of hard-working pioneers have done over many years in developing the foundations of our thriving horticulture industry. The Territory is widely recognised for its mangoes, which is its largest horticultural product, with more than $62 million worth produced annually. To quote the Northern Territory mango industry, 'We are fast becoming the major supplier of Australian mangoes'. As well as mangoes, bananas, citrus fruit, melons, tropical exotic fruits, vegetables and cut flowers are all coming from the Top End. As part of my commitment to developing north Australia, I will be working to ensure the Territory's horticulture sector has every single opportunity to thrive and prosper.