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Background

The Desert Knowledge CRC (DK CRC) is conducting research into the bush foods industry across Australia. There is already a signifcant wild harvest of Australian native produce in the arid zone and some communities are exploring the cultivation of native plants for food and medicine. This research project takes a whole of supply-chain approach to develop the native foods industry, the value of its produce and the benefts the communities can derive from it.

Our Role

A component of the bush foods project is specifcally looking at the growing and harvesting of bush tomatoes, (Solanum species) by potential growers. DK CRC contacted Rural Solutions SA to look at options for mechanical harvesting the fruits of this plant. The investigation involved talking with and visiting farmers in NT, NSW and SA that had diversifed their farming operations to include a range of different crops. An important part of this process was seeing the machinery in action, enabling objective evaluation of the most effcient and effective harvesting machines.

Outcomes

A recommendation was made to DK CRC on the best mechanical harvesting option. The client is extremely happy as they also benefted from relationships established by the consultant with a farmer experienced with mechanised harvesting and a seller with a specifc type of specialised harvester that suited the needs of DK CRC. A decision was made to go with the recommended option and to take up the services of the farmer as an engineering advisor for the ‘shakedown’ phase of its frst harvest operation. DK CRC has received what they wanted with a fow on beneft to potential growers.

Contact: Jason Downs

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