An Australian-first $1.01 million research and commercial partnership aims to explore the development of a sustainable agribusiness model for traditional Australian medicinal plants growing in northern Australia.

The 18 month project, which is a partnership between Menzies School of Health Research (Menzies), Traditional Homeland Enterprises (T.H.E.), Integria Healthcare (Integria) and the University of Queensland, has received $363,363 in funding from the Cooperative Research Centre for Developing Northern Australia (CRCNA).

Project participants have committed $188,845 in cash and $461,074 in-kind contributions towards the project.

The research collaboration brings together extensive research and industry experience to focus on traditional Australian medicinal plants as an important biological, cultural and economic resource.

Mark Mayo, Menzies Indigenous Steering Committee representative and Menzies researcher said the Indigenous Reference Group (IRG) group initiated plans for this project with a view to creating important opportunities for collaboration and mutual learning through the application of modern science to Indigenous knowledge.

“This exciting project will provide opportunities for Aboriginal people to share their knowledge of medicinal plants, developed over thousands of years, with researchers that have expertise in laboratory testing and healthcare product development,” Mayo said.

“The project also offers employment and training for Indigenous people, as well as the possibility of developing a sustainable agribusiness for future employment and training in Indigenous communities,” he said.

The project’s long-term goal is the development of a local industry with opportunities in Indigenous workforce development, sustainable regional development in northern Australia and potential export of uniquely Australian, value-added products.

CRCNA CEO Jed Matz said the project is a significant investment in Traditional Owner-led business models and will provide far-reaching benefits to the communities involved.

“The CRCNA is excited to invest in research which has the potential to make a significant impact, with early estimations the products delivered could add an additional $20m in value to the bush medicine sector, over the next five to ten years,” Matz said.

“An important element of this project will be the extensive consultation and engagement with Traditional land owners and partners to ensure the project will deliver sustainable economic benefits to the community and provide a pathway to a successful business model,” he said.

Traditional medicinal plants will be evaluated at Menzies in Darwin and the School of Chemistry and Molecular Biosciences at the University of Queensland, with a view to using these findings to develop prototype healthcare products.

“Australia’s unique plant life offers a rich but under explored source of medicinal plants and to embark on this exploration with the guidance and knowledge of the traditional custodians of the land is very exciting for everyone involved,” UQ’s Associate Professor Joanne Blanchfield said.

Integria Healthcare CEO John Kavanagh says the company will build on its expertise in traditional herbal medicines and experience gained from their early involvement with Australian tea tree oil to lead the development of prototype healthcare products.

“Integria brings to the project over 60 years of experience in the production of traditional herbal medicines. Once the early stage research is completed, Integria will use the findings to further the development of prototype products in collaboration with the Indigenous Communities. Integria looks forward to playing a role in the development of Australia’s own traditional medicinal plants,” Kavanagh said.

T.H.E. Executive Officer Ann Shanley says the enterprise looks forward to bringing their experience in the Kakadu plum industry to collaborate with Top End communities in developing models for sustainable Indigenous-led agribusinesses.

“This is an exciting opportunity to bring together learnings as we look to continue developing meaningful economic opportunities for Indigenous communities and explore solutions to important challenges such as supply chain, benefit sharing and intellectual property management,” Shanley said.

The initial phase of the project also includes opportunities for young Indigenous scientists, with two Indigenous trainees already working on the project at the Menzies laboratories.

“In addition to laboratory work, there are opportunities to explore and preserve Indigenous knowledge of traditional medicinal plants and their use,” said Menzies Honorary Fellow Dr Greg Leach.

“Participating in such an enterprise requires a range of skills and the project expects to expand the involvement of Indigenous trainees across several disciplines and create further opportunities to include students at either Certificate or undergraduate level. We are also currently seeking an Indigenous postgraduate student,” said Dr Leach.

Media enquires

Carla Keith – CRCNA Communications Manager
0499 330 051