The success of 14 Indigenous men and women in a horticulture training course has planted the seeds for a career in the industry.
The group, from Milikarpiti and Nguiu, has just graduated from an innovative training course, the Certificate II course in Horticulture at Charles Darwin University (CDU).
Program coordinator and VET Lecturer Horticulture, Jason Davey said that through the program the group was able to understand the application of horticulture practices for growing food for community members.
"It’s so important for training to take place in students' communities and be for the betterment of the entire community.”
“The training, part of the Community Development Employment Project, taught students to propagate plants, establish and maintain vegetable and fruit crops, irrigation installation, and production of plants for re-vegetation.”
Mr Davey said the group now had the skills to grow food plants including bananas, papayas, eggplants, bush tomatoes and leafy greens out in the field and utilising hydroponics.
“The goal ultimate goal for students to gain employment growing food crops and natives for regeneration,” he said.