In this week’s update, Tim Cotter, Future of Orbost and District project manager, is providing an overview of the second of five innovation proposals for the region focusing on the district’s agriculture sector. 
The article will also test readers with a summary of the district’s agricultural areas being made up of 16 distinct zones: Jarrahmond, Lochend, Marlo Road, Bete Belong, Bete Belong North, Corringle, Brodribb, Wairewa, Simpsons Creek, Marlo Plains, Bonang Road, Newmerella, Wombat Creek, Waygara, Cabbage Tree Creek and Bemm River.
AGRICULTURAL OPPORTUNITIES
“The Snowy River flats are regarded as some of the most fertile agricultural land in the world, yet many stakeholders view them as being significantly underutilized,” Mr Cotter said.“New initiatives with regenerative farming demonstrate unrealised potential. There are several examples of high value-add or specialist agricultural opportunities, including protected cropping, new products (samphire, insects, black garlic, edible botanicals, native grasses), and a proposed cooperative malting facility, that could prompt innovation. The third of these is already the subject of a Food and Fibre Gippsland GS3 Innovation Group.

IMAGE: Future of Orbost and District project manager, Tim Cotter, sees great possibilities from intensive, high value-add vegetable production in the local area, for example, with Mark Johnston, of Snowy Black Garlic (pictured). K887-209 (2019)