Northern Australia Food Futures conference 2025
The 6th Northern Australia Food Futures conference was held across two days in Darwin on 8 – 9 April 2025 hosted by the NT Farmers Association.
The conference brought together industry experts, food producers, researchers, investors and policymakers to discuss sustainable agricultural practices and industry development in Northern Australia.
The conference, widely regarded as the region's premier event for advancing the agricultural industry, focused on cutting-edge strategies for sustainable growth while preserving the unique environmental resources of the north.
Team members from the Office of Water Security and the Water Resource Division attended the conference and represented the department. A key focus during the event was on water availability.
Executive Director of the Office of Water Security, Nerida Horner, was part of the panel session: Access to water in the Northern Australia, with presenters from the CSIRO, Charles Darwin University and Rabobank. The panel session focused on access and management of water in the Northern Territory.
Nerida spoke about current NT water management policy and regulations and explained how the Northern Territory’s rivers are free flowing, and conservative water management settings prioritise water for the environment and cultural purposes, before providing water for rural stock and domestic use, public water supply, Aboriginal Water Reserves, and economic development.
Nerida addressed questions from the audience with input from members of the Water Resources Division, providing further clarity on the implementation, and regulation of water allocation plans, as well as licensing for extraction of water.
Participants in the panel session took the opportunity to thank the NT Government for its ongoing efforts to provide alternative water sources that support farmers. Discussions covered the availability of river water for use during the wet season, rural water capture in on-farm ring tanks, and WAP areas with water still available, as some of the suite of options available for securing water for agricultural needs.
The Northern Territory government sponsored the conference and provided an information booth shared by various government departments, including the Department of Lands, Planning and Environment, Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and the Department of Trade, and Business and Asian Relations.
Conference participants were able to engage directly with staff and learn about government initiatives aimed at unlocking opportunities for sustainable agriculture growth in the region.
With the conferences emphasis on innovation and responsible development, the event reinforced the shared commitment to a prosperous future for Northern Australia's agricultural industries while preserving its natural resources.
Congratulations to the NT Farmers Association for hosting another successful Food Futures conference.
