COTTON production is just one of many plant-based commodities that are fast tracking the Northern Territory to becoming one of Australia's most diverse production hubs.
NT Farmers Association chief executive officer Paul Burke said cotton production had grown significantly, since in the past four years, as just 100 hectares of cotton had expanded to 8000ha.
"We are seeing a real emergence in the plant-based industry and it has been driven by cotton production," he said. "We expect to see cotton production to grow to about 30,000ha in the coming three to four years."
The Northern Cotton Gin Development Group recently announced the completion of a cotton gin at Tarwoo Station, about 35 kilometres from Katherine, NT.
"This has cracked the industry wide open for NT producers," Mr Burke said.
A big positive and unique approach to growing cotton in the NT, has it grown through a dryland production system, with 95 per cent of the Territory's crops this year grown using no irrigation water.
Mr Burke said considering some of the perceptions surrounding cotton production, it was an "amazing" achievement by NT producers.
NT Farmers are working with the NT government and Centre of Research Excellence for North Australia to determine what can be grown with the cotton.
"We have proved we can grow cotton and on some properties, growing six and a half bales a hectare," Mr Burke said.
"We think that over the over the next decade, we expect to see a lot of pastoral properties diversify into growing some cotton - which will provide a valuable protein source on the property.
"It is a real game-changer.
"One of the deficiencies we have in the Territory, is a grass protein deficiency all year round."
Mr Burke believes, if the right mix of cotton and fodder can be achieved - it can help the cattle industry.
Cotton prices are north of $900 a bale, which is not a bad return on investment, according to Mr Burke, and if cattle and cotton can work together, it will be a big opportunity.
Mr Burke said cotton was just one part of the new NT story, with southern horticulture opportunities also taking front and centre.
Singleton Station, Western Davenport region, is set to have 3500ha of horticulture products to make it one of the largest horticulture developments in Australia.
"There has been a bit of talk about the amount of water it uses. It's 40 gigalitres but it is only about a third of the consumption pool in that region," Mr Burke said.
"There is still an opportunity for other growers to participate in other crops and fodder.
"We want to work with farmers to work out what can be done on their properties."
Mr Burke said new opportunities for growers were very clear and the association was committed to helping growers integrate new enterprises into their businesses.
"It is not about prioritising one over the other - it is about working together," he said. "We have the rare opportunity in the NT to make many crops and commodities work side-by-side."
FORESTRY SHOOTS OFF TO NEW PATH
THE emergence of carbon into the economy, will help forge a new direction for the Northern Territory forestry sector, after changes to legislation made it a viable option.
NT Farmers Association chief executive officer Paul Burke said previous limiting factors that stopped northern Australia from participating in the carbon market, had been reduced.
"Plantation's in northern Australia that were anywhere above 600 millimetres of rainfall could not participate in the carbon market," he said.
But, Mr Burke said after working closely with the federal government for the past two years, it had been amended.
"Now the forestry industry can participate and it will allow significant investor interest in northern Australia," he said.
Mahogany plantations have not grown in seven years but Mr Burke said, with the amended rules to access carbon credits, it is expected plantings would significantly increase in the next two years.
"Mahogany plantings have not grown because of this, they need regular intervals of carbon credits coming in because they do not get a dividend until year 25, when they cut down the timber," he said.
"It is all outgoing costs until year 25 - now they can participate in the carbon market to manage their costs throughout the entire growing period."
An abundant future is also on the cards for Camellia crops, Mr Burke envisioned about 100 hectares of the crop could be grown.