Student supports Indigenous farming project

A LA Trobe University PhD student is helping to build knowledge around the science of reintroducing a culturally significant plant to Dja Dja Wurrung Country.

Dylan Male’s research into kangaroo grass is studying the agronomy of the plant, which was once harvested into flour by traditional owners and used as a staple food.

His research is being conducted as part of Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation’s Djandak Dja Kunditja project, which aims to investigate ways kangaroo grass could be grown and farmed again.

The project, which translates to Country healing its home, has received a $1.82 million Federal Government grant, and Mr Male said his research would be used alongside Djaara knowledge.

“My role as part of the project, as part of my PhD research, is asking all the questions and trying to find solutions to the challenges of growing kangaroo grass and returning it to the landscape based on science,” he said.

“It’s to bring together science and Indigenous knowledge to move forward and return the grass to the landscape.”

Mr Male said modern agricultural practices and urbanisation have degraded today’s grasslands and he’s hoping his research could help answer important questions like when to sow kangaroo grass seeds and how the plant could be harvested.

CEO of Dja Dja Wurrung Clans Aboriginal Corporation, Rodney Carter, said the Djandak Dja Kunditja project was about creating healthy Country and people.

“For us to see kangaroo grass across alternated landscapes is a massive positive for us, as a people to see,” he said.

“To visualise the colours and then to use farming systems to make that efficient and commercially viable for people to enjoy the product itself. For cultural reasons it is really important, it gives us a good foundation.”

Mr Male said Australia’s food systems needed to be culturally aware, climate resilient, land regenerative and preserve biodiversity while still being productive and profitable.

It’s an idea he hopes to build on when he attends the online Bayer Youth Ag Summit later this year as one of only four Aussies chosen to take part.

The event brings together 100 young people from across the world to discuss challenges and issues related to the theme ‘Feeding a Hungry World’.

Mr Male said he’s looking forward to hearing ideas from attendees about how young people can contribute to a future that is food secure.

“One thing I’m really hoping to get out of the Youth Ag Summit is to really listen to discussions on the complex issues facing agriculture and maybe hear some solutions and ideas being shared from the diverse selection of delegates and industry leaders who will be attending,” he said.

“I’m really hoping I can bring to the table an Australian perspective to food security, what are the issues facing Australian agriculture.

“For me, sustainable agriculture means producing enough food for everyone whilst protecting the natural world around us.”