Page 21 - Tropic Magazine Issue 32

TROPIC • AGRICULTURE

Grain gains

EMERGING INDUSTRY
A Far North Queensland
company is developing a new
industry built on Australia’s
first grown and processed
sesame and black rice.

Words: Renee Cluff
Until now, Far North Queensland has
not been known as a grain-growing hub,
with agriculture dominated by sugar
cane, bananas, mangoes, avocados
and beef. However, a new business is
changing the landscape – literally –
starting with black rice and sesame. In development
Savannah Sun Foods is the brainchild
of agronomist Tony Matchett, who has
spent the past 15 years researching a
potential grain growing industry for
the region. He told Tropic that while he’s
known for some time many grain and
seed crops can be successfully grown Coloured rice Quinoa Buckwheat Sesame Sunn hemp
here, market demand has now solidified
his objectives.
“Australia currently imports all
its coloured rice, and we import We are solving those issues.” Already, the company has started
$57-million worth of sesame products Both white and black sesame as well as developing its Savannah Sun Oils range
every year – whether that’s tahini, oil, black rice are being grown by about a using sesame, sunflower, mustard,
seeds, or for the baking industry,” dozen contracted Far North Queensland camelina and safflower. It’s now
he said. sugar cane farmers, with Savannah investigating opportunities in other
Sun Foods purchasing 100 per cent of seeds, oilseeds and grains including
their crops. The benefits for the farmers quinoa and buckwheat.
are threefold. Number one, they’re
diversifying and spreading their risk. MORE: savannahsunfoods.com.au
The interest has been Number two, they’re using the grains
overwhelming and seeds as break crops for sugar cane,
to improve the quality of the soil in fallow
fields and increase yields for their next
cane rotation. Number three, they’re Did you know?
value-adding to their main business.
Tony Matchett
Savannah Sun Foods Savannah Sun Foods is now working The Cooperative Research
Managing Director with FNQ Food Incubator to develop Centre for Developing Northern
processing infrastructure. “If we develop Australia (CRCNA) is currently
“The companies importing sesame oil seed crushing capacity and de-hulling researching broadacre grain
or black rice have major supply chain capacity here locally, then we develop an production possibilities for
issues, including reliability and cost. industry,” Mr Matchett said. “Our product grazing enterprises in the Gulf
One burger business alone relies on is premium, 100 per cent Australian River region. Findings are due in
sesame seeds being on top of their buns grown and processed, and we want to mid-2022.
every day, so they must stockpile. disrupt the market by replacing imports.”

21 • tropicnow.com.au