Wugularr School students join Katherine Research Station's mango harvest

Callan Morse Published November 6, 2024 at 10.35am (AWST)

NT

Wugularr School students recently attended the Katherine Research Station learning about the Northern Territory's mango industry. (Image: supplied)

Students from from Wugularr School, south of Katherine, haves spent a day harvesting mangoes in collaboration with Indigenous organisation Nyirrunggulung-RISE and the Department of Agriculture and Fisheries plant industries team.

While learning more about harvesting mangoes and when to pick the fruit, students joined Nyirrunggulung-RISE community members, who regularly visit the Katherine Research Station at this time of year, to assist DAF's horticultural team to harvest the tropical fruit.

Formed by a partnership with the Jawoyn Association and RISE Ventures, Nyirrunggulung-RISE is dedicated to "creating positive employment, education, infrastructure, and wellbeing outcomes" for Aboriginal communities in the Central Arnhem Land region including Wugularr, Barunga, Manyallaluk, Binjari and Bulman.

The organisation shares fruit with these communities, as well as local schools, aged care centres, women's shelters, crèches, and other community-led organisations.

Peter Beesley from RISE Ventures said it's amazing to see how fresh mangoes light up the faces of the community.

"It is good that we have spaced out the timing of delivery to our local community schools, this year, they have used the fruit we already provided in chutneys and jam just in time for the next delivery," Mr Beesley said.

23,926 tonnes of mangoes were picked during the 2023-24 season across the 6350 hectares of Northern Territory mango farmland. (Image: Northern Territory Government)

Mangoes being picked this season are part of a long-term research trial, with collected data contributing to better knowledge of mangoes, growth patterns and other variables that may contribute to a more productive harvest.

Wugularr School Learning on Country coordinator, Joanne Hill commended student involvement in the initiative.

"This has been a fantastic opportunity to bring in students to observe and participate in the mango picking on Katherine Research Station," Ms Hill said.

Department of Agriculture and Fisheries Big Rivers Regional Director, Susan King said the contribution from Wugularr School students was well received

"We look forward to continuing our partnership with Nyirrunggulung-RISE and it was a pleasure to welcome the students from Wugularr school to Katherine Research Station, Ms King said.

"The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries work on an array of research trials and collaborations like this are a great way to engage with and support the community and our research."

According to data published earlier this year, 3.41 million trays of mangoes were picked and packed in the Northern Territory last season, contributing more than 51 per cent of Australia's total production while supporting more than 2000 direct employment positions.