On The Land
24 April, 2026
Producers help each other grow
MORE than 20 local producers attended the recent launch of a new peer-to-peer group supporting sustainable agricultural enterprises on Cape York Peninsula.
The first meeting of the Cape York Sustainable Agriculture Community of Practice (CoP) was held in Cooktown in March, with the group aiming to enhance local knowledge sharing, increase adoption of sustainable land practices including AgTech, and build capacity across the region’s agriculture sector.
Cape York NRM’s Geoff Wilson said the network has been developed as part of the “Cultivating Climate-Smart and Sustainable Agriculture in Cape York Peninsula” project.
“The meeting was well attended despite recent heavy rain, with producers representing horticulture, permaculture, grazing and mixed small crops,” Geoff said.
“There was strong engagement from attendees who worked together to identify shared priorities and opportunities for collaboration, and significant interest in funding that could support new ideas and on-ground improvements.”
Members of the CoP identified areas for future learning and helped co-design an ongoing skills program. A key focus was assessing and improving soil health, including organising soil testing across participating properties to establish a baseline for future improvements.
TNQ Drought Hub Regional Soil Coordinator, Dhiraj Gajera, presented to the group about the National Soil Action Plan, an initiative to improve soil health and strengthen soil knowledge.
“Soil health is the foundation of our farming systems; if we get the soil right, we improve the productivity and resilience of the entire enterprise,” Dhiraj said.
Facilitator Trevor Meldrum said it was encouraging to see the group set clear priorities from the outset.
“This is their Community of Practice, so our role is to help facilitate discussions while members set the agenda,” he said.
“It was very positive to see soil health and other issues emerge as key focus areas, and to explore how the group can support businesses long-term through improved productivity.”
The CoP will meet at least twice a year, with workshops and field days also set to take place.
