In September 2015, Slade presented at the 2nd UNE Seeds Colloquium: Cultural Stewardship Risk in Conservation Seed Banks at UNE

1. How Commercialisation of Bush Foods Invokes
Traditional Knowledge Considerations
Ninti One Limited
Cooperative Research Centre
for Remote Economic Participation
2nd UNE Seeds Colloquium
Cultural Stewardship Risk in Conservation Seed Banks

2. 2
Acknowledgement
Anaiwan and Kamilaroi people

3. 3
Why Bush Tomato?:
• an emerging business opportunity with existing markets for
processed products and potential for expansion
• grows in the arid zone so presents a commercial prospect in
remote Australia protected from coastal exploitation
• an existing foundation of previous R&D
• a good model for other crop development opportunities
CRC-REP Plant Business overview:
Main themes:
• selection of improved Bush Tomato varieties as a model for
ethical development of bush food crops having cultural aspects
• legal and governance strategies for safeguarding the interests
of traditional custodians when culture-based products are
commercialised

4. 4
Plant Business project:
Sub-project areas:
• Community engagement and field sample collection
• Plant Science – genetics and phytochemistry
• Plant Propagation – conventional and tissue culture
• Field Trial – assessment of variation and selection
• Semi-commercial plots – promote adoption of varieties
• Seed-banks – risk of the loss of values in plants
• Safeguarding the interests of traditional custodians – law PhD

5. 5
Parental genetic resource collection sites:
Western Arrernte Country (central Australia)
Tjuwanpa Women Rangers from Ntaria

6. 6
More than just a plant:
Recognising the interests of hereditary custodians:
• spiritual and totemic values
• cultural stories and lore
• intergenerational knowledge
• traditional practices
• respect and consent
• benefit-sharing
• participation

7. 7
Commercialisation:
Business opportunities:
• horticultural production
• wild harvest
• enrichment planting
• value-adding
• processing & manufacturing
• marketing

8. 8
Interests of hereditary custodians vs. Commercialisation
Safeguarding the interests of
traditional custodians
Strategies:
• legal instruments
• prescribing governance principles
• assisting participation and enterprises
• bush food industry advocacy
• model for ethical development of new bush food businesses
• Ninti One support

9. 9
Project participant sites
for further information:
Slade Lee
slade.lee@nintione.com.au
0419 474 251