Case Studies Report. Baseline Study - Agricultural Capacity of the Indigenous Estate

The analysis of the five case studies identifies that First Nations primary production industries are diverse, increasingly financially sustainable and delivering significant cultural, environmental and social benefits to local First Nations communities and the broader national economy. First Nations people are willing and successful participants in primary industries. The preconditions to First Nations participation include mechanisms that enable technical, commercial and governance capabilities, including through external agencies and through existing cultural governance arrangements. Governance frameworks based on holding-subsidiary company models that provide appropriate cultural and community oversight, whilst separating operational management of the primary production enterprise, are common place among First Nations primary industries businesses and appear to be a tried-and-tested model. Access to capital and other services and data are equally important enablers. The reliability of leases, and other tenure, limits land holders’ access to capital. Commonwealth, state and territory agencies and instrumentalities provide financial, research and advisory services to First Nations primary production businesses. Of note, the ILSC has been an important resource for First Nations primary production enterprises to build capabilities, divest land and grant funding. Also crucial are the networks and genuine, meaningful collaboration among First Nations organisations. These support culturally appropriate frameworks for sustainable development, enable partnerships and access to supply chains and markets, provide advocacy and specialist expertise, support innovations, and generate data. When afforded capacity and capabilities, First Nations primary production industries optimise the sustainable use of natural resources together with maintaining cultural and biodiversity assets. Business models are founded on preserving culture and caring for Country and creating social dividends for local First Nations communities. Development interests go beyond mainstream primary industries and build on natural and cultural capital. Interests encompass emerging and innovative land and water-based enterprises, such as native bushfoods production, botanical pharmaceuticals, carbon farming and agritourism, some of which already contribute to national gross domestic product.The research was been co-funded by the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia, a Cooperative Research Centre established under the Australian Government’s Cooperative Research Program, and by the Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation, a corporate Commonwealth entity that provides for the contemporary and future land and water needs of Indigenous Australians. In-kind contribution to the report’s development was provided by the Commonwealth’s Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment