THE mango industry could present a more coordinated approach to the national delivery of fruit thanks to the roll out of the National Broadband Network (NBN) in the Northern Territory.
The latest fixed wireless installations were switched on for more than 2700 Territorians last week as the NBN stretches further into the north.
While homes and businesses in parts of Humpty Doo, Howard Springs and Noonamah East will benefit from the faster internet speed, horticulture producers also stand to get a leg-up from the roll out.
In fact, mango grower and Australian Mango Industry Association (AMIA) board director Han Siah was the first Northern Territory resident to hook into the NBN.
Mr Siah has been enjoying better network access since April last year and says there are many applications for fast broadband in the mango industry.
“Through online training, growers can learn how to handle farm chemicals, without needing to travel into the town centre, which can be costly and time intensive,” Mr Siah said.
“Growers can also use video conferencing to assist in quality control. It lets them liaise with their agents on the East Coast in real time and see firsthand any quality issues with their produce after transportation.
“I encourage all producers to connect to the NBN and discover the new tools, techniques and technologies that can improve their farming.”
Mr Siah, a self-confessed “IT nerd”, grows an in-house produced mango variety, TPP1 for his company, Tropical Primary Products at Lambells Lagoon, east of Humpty Doo.
His fruit is sent to Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide.
As well as using a laptop, Mr Siah and his family use several Android tablets and mobile phones for their on-farm operations.
He said the positives for the industry as a whole could stem from more reliable input for AMIA board meetings through video conferencing, particularly when it came to assessing crop sizes and production timetables.
After a meagre 2013 season, Mr Siah said the coming season is looking to be a bumper crop when the harvest begins in about late September or October.
Last week’s rollout is in addition to the 3900 premises already covered in the NBN’s fixed wireless network in the Territory.
NBN Co spokesperson Justin Jarvis said rural and remote residents will find other benefits to having fast internet, apart from business opportunities.
“Fast broadband gives residents access to e-health services, distance education and entertainment on demand, while businesses could potentially increase productivity, reduce costs and access new markets,” Mr Jarvis said.
Litchfield Council chief executive officer, Russell Anderson said the NBN is a game-changer for mango farmers.
“Those connected no longer need rely of fax machines to get the latest mango prices. In a market that fluctuates dramatically, real time pricing via the NBN is critical for selling at high and securing enough revenue to cover freight costs,” he said.
Residents can check to see if the NBN is in their region by entering their address at www.nbnco.com.au/check-your-address.html
