The Andrews Labor Government is backing Aboriginal Victorian-owned businesses to nurture an authentic and vibrant native foods industry, restoring the rights of Traditional Owners. Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas visited the Belar Nursery and Bioculture Resources Centre to announce the Labor Government’s $2 million Djakitjuk Djanga Program in partnership with the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations.
“We are proud to be supporting the First People of the Millewa-Mallee through the Djakitjuk Djanga Program – we know a Traditional Owner-led native food and botanicals industry will benefit all Victorians.” Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas commented “It is fantastic to see how the nursery is growing native food and plants for the regeneration of Country, and to hear about how important this is for the communities’ cultural connection and identity.”
Minister Thomas said that the Government is focusing on growing emerging industries as well as restoring the rights of Traditional Owners through programs like the Djakitjuk Djanga Native Foods and Botanicals. This program translates to “Country’s Food” in Dja Dja Wurrung language. The Minister explained that Belar nursery has received $135,000 in funding through the program to employ an additional staff member and purchase new equipment for the site. Minister Thomas added that the project is part of First People’s Environment and Ecosystem Restoration Initiative, which is working with farmers and other land managers to facilitate large-scale native plantings to regenerate natural habitats as well as commercial farming landscapes.
The Minister explained that the Djakitjuk Djanga Program has supported 13 Aboriginal native plant businesses to overcome key resource-related barriers towards the commercial production of native foods and botanicals. First People of the Millewa-Mallee also received funding from the Labor Government’s Creating Jobs and Supporting Economic Recovery for Aboriginal Victorians Program to boost their nursery, native seedbank and seed production enterprise, as well as employ a further seven staff in the nursery and engage a consultant. The Minister said that earlier this year, Traditional Owners launched their Native Food and Botanicals Strategy. The strategy is an Australian first which lays out a plan to create a strong, authentic, sustainable bushfood sector that will restore the rights of Traditional Owners. Minister Thomas said that the Labor Government is working to maximize the growth potential of key emerging industries including native foods through its Agriculture strategy, to grow the value and output for the sector.
