Supporting economic development
Our partnership with the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owner Corporations to develop an authentic native food and botanicals industry and the boriginal Landholder Information Service are examples of our commitment to Aboriginal self-determination. These initiatives are enabling Aboriginal Victorians to lead and contribute to Victoria’s agriculture sector.
Native food and botanicals industry development
Victorian Traditional Owners have sought Agriculture Victoria’s support to lead the development of an authentic native food industry for Victoria.
In 2019, the Victorian Government funded the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners to develop a Traditional Owner Native Food and Botanicals Strategy.
The Minister for Agriculture joined with Traditional Owners to launch the Strategy on Gunaikurnai Country in April 2021.
Djakitjuk Djanga program
Under Djakitjuk Djanga, the Federation of Victorian Traditional Owners offered grants of up to $200,000 to eligible Aboriginal businesses and organisations to help overcome key resource related barriers to commercially producing native plants for use as food and botanicals. Applications are now closed and projects are underway.
Aboriginal Landholder Information Service
The Aboriginal Landholder Information Service (ALIS) is a free, state-wide agricultural service specifically for Aboriginal Victorians who own or manage land. The ALIS provides workshops on farm planning, stock handling, pest plant and animal management, native food production and more.
garinga djimbayang
garinga djimbayang is a $2.5 million initiative to support the inclusion of Aboriginal knowledge and practices in agriculture training, ensuring training is culturally safe for First Nations people and supports their increased connection to agricultural careers. It also aims to recognise the contribution of First Nations people in agriculture through self-determined storytelling. Find out more about garinga djimbayang.
Biosecurity
Effective biosecurity is essential to the health of Victoria’s community, economy, cultural heritage and environment, and to protect our way of life.
Agriculture Victoria works collaboratively with Traditional Owners and other key partners to manage the impact of existing pests and diseases and prevent new pests and diseases entering and spreading within the state.