Innovative Agricultural Trials in Indian Ocean Territories

Overview

This program will run over 2 years from 2021–22 to 2022–23 on Christmas Island (CI) and the Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI). It promotes economic diversification and growth by supporting agricultural or aquaculture trial demonstration sites designed to identify different produce that can be grown in the region and trial niche agricultural or aquaculture techniques. The program was announced as part of the Indian Ocean Territories Economic Diversification strategy.  The program aims to: reduce food costs to the IOT community by reducing the need for costly imports allow the IOT community to buy fresh local produce and support better health outcomes  undertake sound agricultural or aquaculture trials and produce results that are repeatable and adaptable  develop a niche agricultural or aquaculture industry in the IOT that would contribute to food security and greater self-sufficiency.