‘Together We Grow, Together We Prosper’ artwork by David Williams of Gilimbaa.
Collaborating to agree what characteristics must be included in definitions for Indigenous agricultural products, and to develop an evidence base to support the future development of Indigenous agricultural product credentials.
The first of its kind in Australia, the Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework project (the Project) represents a unique opportunity to agree what overarching characteristics and principles must be included in claims about Indigenous agricultural products. This framework of principles will then allow for individual Indigenous product definitions to be created, that fit within those principles.
The Project will also provide an evidence base about the current value of Indigenous agricultural products, and the potential economic and community benefits of being able to identify and promote Indigenous agricultural produce, in both the domestic and export markets. Further, it will look at the existing challenges and potential opportunities in the Indigenous agricultural sector that will help establish individual Indigenous agricultural product credentials. A credential is a way of proving the characteristics of a claim against a product definition, for those characteristics that are not obvious or easily seen by the naked eye. For example, that a Kakadu Plum comes from the Kakadu region.
Once established and in use, the Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework will provide ongoing prosperity to Indigenous peoples and business through demonstrating authenticity, proving world-leading practices, and protecting and verifying claims about Indigenous agricultural products.
The Project is gathering Indigenous perspectives to inform the principles for defining their agricultural products and assessing options for a supporting credentials system, which combined will inform an Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework.
Through building agreement on defining overarching principles for Indigenous agricultural products and providing tangible recommendations to enable the uptake of a credentials system to distinguish these products in market, the Project aims to create ripples of growth that will be felt for generations to come.
‘Together We Grow, Together We Prosper’ artwork by David Williams of Gilimbaa.
Timeline of outcomes
Following extensive consultation with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and others, the NFF have developed the following set of characteristics and a definition for Indigenous agricultural products. The characteristics and definition reflect the views and perspectives shared across interviews, roundtables, surveys and desktop research.
The NFF would like to acknowledge and thank all those who contributed their time, knowledge and expertise into this project so far.
As part of this approach, the NFF hosted a series of six virtual roundtables to test the findings from the consultations conducted across Australia with Indigenous people and businesses and build a consensus around the characteristics that could define an Indigenous Agricultural Product, as well as support for a credential system.
Learn more about the Roundtable discussions here.
The five key characteristics are: Connection to Culture, Connection to Country, Caring for Country, and Access and Benefit Sharing, with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Producers at the centre. These characteristics help distinguish Indigenous agricultural products from non-Indigenous products, and help ensure their unique cultural and environmental value is recognised and preserved.
The definition of Indigenous agricultural products received strong support from stakeholders. The refined defined definition is:
“An Indigenous Agricultural Product refers to the use of land, air, and waters by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander owned and operated organisations to produce primary products, while also caring for Country. Indigenous agricultural products, both cultivated and wild-harvested, create opportunities for access and benefit sharing with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and reflect the cultural connection between the producers and the product.”
There is strong support for a credential system to assure the authenticity of Indigenous agricultural products. However, the NFF recognises the sector’s concerns about potential implementation of a credential and the currently fragmented regulatory environment. The NFF also recognises the need for broader supports, beyond a credential system and regulatory environment, to build the capability and capacity of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander producers.
The report consolidating work to date can be found in our Assessment Report.
Initial work around a review of the regulatory analysis has already been completed and can be found here. The report considers Australian legal and regulatory models, industry standards and practices, and Indigenous decision-making models (including customary laws and protocols) relevant to Indigenous agricultural products. It also includes relevant international examples that can support the development of the Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework.
The focus of the report is to identify frameworks that address or provide insight into:
The next phase of the project will focus on estimating the economic and community value of Indigenous agricultural products, and assessing consumer sentiments to identify the benefits and barriers to the growth of Indigenous agricultural products. This includes assessing the export maturity of Indigenous agricultural products and developing models for a credential system that supports their unique cultural and environmental value.
Future engagement opportunities will be open for the sector, producers and other interested people and groups to provide insights and direction on this next phase of work. You can keep across these opportunities when they arise, by subscribing below.
Understanding the potential future demand for Indigenous agricultural products in overseas markets, including premium, value-added products, and the role traceability and a credentials system play to enabling this trade and a growing demand.
Confirming the Indigenous Agriculture Product Framework by agreeing the overarching principles for Indigenous agricultural products and providing tangible recommendations on a sustainable business model and the future uptake of credential requirements.
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Report for Outcome
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The Indigenous Agricultural Product Framework is the first of its kind in Australia and focuses on empowering First Nations people in the nation’s agricultural sectors.
First Nations knowledge and thinking will be found at its centre. The voices of this land’s first agriculturalists, innovators, and scientists will be heard at its heart.
First Nations people have cared for the lands and waters, and mastered agricultural techniques over thousands of years, passing on stories, expertise, and knowledge for the benefit of future generations.
The Framework can be an important part of securing a more prosperous and equitable future for all Australians, too.
Its success relies on the connections and collaborations between its creators and caretakers as they embark on this journey.
By increasing recognition of First Nations people in agriculture, it can be a platform for change.
And by strengthening economic opportunities for First Nations people, it can help to close the gaps and empower all Australians to grow and prosper together.
The artwork concept and narrative was developed by David Williams. David is a proud Wakka Wakka artist at Gilimbaa.
‘Together We Grow, Together We Prosper’ artwork by David Williams of Gilimbaa.
For millennia Indigenous peoples have cared for Country and managed landscapes, including for the purpose of producing food and fibre. In doing so, they have developed practices, products, skills and knowledge which together form an incredibly valuable set of assets of ongoing cultural importance, and also of future economic potential. The development and commercialisation of these assets requires our broad support but must be led by Indigenous peoples and lead to their empowerment.
There are no limits to what will be considered when we seek to arrive at preferred characteristics and principles. They could include how the product was produced, who produced it, where it was produced, or the nature of the product itself, including whether it is native to Australia. The principles could rely on just one of these elements or a number of them. It could be based on something else! For clarity, we are not assuming the definition will be limited to products derived from native species but also potentially from introduced species.
While we will seek input from a wide range of stakeholders with an interest, it will be the advice of Indigenous peoples that create them. Consultation will be exhaustive to ensure we arrive at determining the principles with the broadest agreement and support possible.
A credential provides additional trust that a claim is true. When a credential is attached to a product, it should give the buyer confidence that important attributes of the product being claimed by the producer or seller exist. Making a claim and attaching a credential to a product often requires the producer or seller to submit proof of the important attributes, which can then be checked by the buyer or an independent authority.
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of Land and Sea Country. Recognising their continuing connection to land, waters, and culture; we pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
We respect and acknowledge Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First farmers of Australia.
Project Sponsors & Partners
The Indigenous Agriculture Product Framework project is jointly funded by the Australia Government Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) and the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation (ILSC).
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