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Core Project 2.1: Bush Products

The DKCRC’s bush foods research project has been underway since October 2004. The work focuses mainly on bush tomatoes as this product already has the largest market presence and is a representative species of the industry. Research works with the right people in the right places to target problem areas in the supply chain. Research results so far include identifying food and other properties of bush tomatoes, as well as post-harvest pests and their treatment; mapping of genetic variation, the industry supply chain¹, and sources of wild harvest; and trialling horticulture².

Objectives and outcomes:

A bush tomato supply chain in which Aboriginal people have more involvement and gain more benefits.
A more robust supply chain with increased consumer demand for bush tomatoes.
Greater security of supply of quality bush tomatoes.
More desert people getting income and jobs from the bush tomato supply chain.
Increased business skills for individuals.
Greater respect in the industry for Aboriginal people’s role, traditional and local knowledge.

The project is designed around the concept of a value chain (see above figure). In this way the problems and weaknesses are treated systematically.

Project components

1. Towards a better value chain

Traditionally, Aboriginal women supplied the commercial market for bush tomatoes from wild plants harvested when rainfall and market forces permitted. But as the industry grows, this source may not be reliable enough or of sufficient high quality to meet demand. People outside the desert might try to benefit from this, so we are researching ways to improve supply to feed growing markets and maintain ethical supply chains to desert Aboriginal people.
Bush tomatoes have wide appeal and are versatile. We are researching how they can be used more widely in the market, how to match these uses to supply sources (e.g. to wild harvest and horticulture), and how to brand different sources to attract buyers. For example, some niche markets are interested in the socio-cultural values of Aboriginal people associated with bush harvest activities, so products can be branded accordingly.

2. Plant origin, plant selection

Allied to horticultural research is the work on finding out where different species of bush tomato come from, and selecting the more appropriate varieties to be grown and used in different ways. Intellectual property from plant selections will benefit Aboriginal people who participate in the selection trials.

3. Information flow along value chains

We are mapping the stocks and flows of bush tomatoes in the industry. People currently work independently of each other, but more cooperation will see the industry flourish. We are bringing different groups together to learn from each other and we are exploring business models that will allow critical mass to grow. Emerging research shows that understanding information—who has access to it, and how it flows along bush tomato value chains—is critical for value chain members to understand and know each other’s needs and aspirations.

4. Whole of industry activities

Our research is contributing to review and reform in the industry, and to the building of industry-wide standards. Without standards, different people along the value chain don’t have confidence that the product is ethically produced. There are also export issues to address, such as the potential loss of genetic material, which can result in Australian products being developed outside Australia.

Project leader and partners

_{Horticultural trials of Solanum centrale are
underway at the Alice Springs Desert Park nursery}

Jenny Cleary is a project leader in the DKCRC. She manages a national team of researchers working on a wide range of projects aimed at strengthening the bush foods industry across desert Australia.

The project’s participants are: