General News
11 June, 2026
Other crops on program
TWO local agronomy projects have received a $300,000 boost to help shore up the future of agriculture in Far North Queensland after the local collapse of sugar cane when the Mossman Mill closed in 2024.
The funding will be provided through the Mossman Transition Plan which was set up to support the community’s transition away from sugar following the mill’s closure.
A grant of $150,000 will be invested into establishing the viability of a soybean processing facility and intensive livestock project, led by Dairy Farmers Milk Co-operative.
This project will evaluate development of a soybean processing facility to supply local protein feed for Far North Queensland’s dairy, poultry and beef industries, with value-added opportunities.
Another $150,000 has been allocated to the Far Northern Queensland Rice Industry project, led by the Tropical Agri Food Industry Network.
This project will see producer-led trials of new varieties of rice better adapted to conditions in Mossman and builds on work already completed to evaluate the agronomics, markets, processing, supply chain logistics and feasibility of large-scale tropical rice production in Far North Queensland.
The Mossman Advisory Committee has recommended funding these priority projects as they offer job creation, economic diversification and growth.
Primary Industries Minister Tony Perrett said the state government was delivering for the Mossman community.
“There is a bright future for agriculture in Mossman and finding diverse options like these are key to the region’s long-term recovery and prosperity,” he said.
“For so long, the Far North of our state has been equated with the sugar industry, but we now have an opportunity to diversify economically and develop concepts that can be prosperous for the community, delivering jobs and security,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to the results of these projects, as well as existing on-ground research into coffee and cocoa and remain optimistic that diverse and promising opportunities await.”
Member for Cook and Mossman Advisory Committee chairman David Kempton said the trials would give farmers confidence that the government remained committed to working alongside them.
“While the road has been uncertain and difficult for farming families in Mossman and Douglas, we have a rare opportunity to redesign our future with expert resources focused on creating a prosperous, agricultural community,” he said.
“There is no single ‘quick fix’ crop to replace cane, so diversification will be essential even though the final mix of viable crops is still emerging. The Mossman Advisory Committee is backing a range of new crop trials and funding initiatives to provide growers with greater certainty about their future.”
Mr Kempton said other crops being trialled included coffee, cocoa, sorghum and bana grass.
