Irrigated Crop Opportunities in the South East of South Australia - 2003-2004

Backgroundbeans

The South East of South Australia has a substantial processing potato industry and opportunities are sought for complementary broadacre enterprises that can effectively utilise the infrastructure that has been developed such as irrigation capability.

Objectives

Two opportunities are currently being evaluated.  Development of a mint oil industry and a dry culinary bean production industry.

Key Achievements

Mint Oil Industry

  • The project is a cooperative venture between key growers, PIRSA, Horticulture Australia Limited (HAL) and is managed by Rural Solutions SA.
  • Nursery multiplication and small scale plot trials of four mint selections were established.
  • Peppermint and spearmint varieties were harvested and samples were steam distilled with resulting essential oil collected for analyses.
  • These analyses will be completed in 2004-05 and a commercialisation plan will be developed.

Culinary Beans

  • The project is a cooperative venture between PIRSA and a commercial seed company and is managed by Rural Solutions SA.  The work indicates that the Kalangadoo area offers production opportunities for some varieties of culinary beans.
  • Further semi-commercial scale testing is planned for 2004-05.

 

Project Leader:  Mark Bartetzko