VET students learn horticultural skills at AZRI

The Department of Education shares facilities with the Department of Primary Industry and Resources (DPIR) at AZRI to deliver a number of courses – Certificate III in Agriculture; Certificate II in Rural Operations; Certificate II in Conservation and Land Management and Certificate I in AgriFood Operations courses under the Pastoral Futures Program. This is a joint partnership between the Central Land Council, Indigenous Land Corporation, Northern Territory (NT) Cattleman’s Association and DPIR. The program skill sets are developed in consultation with industry, and students often assist AZRI staff at the farm.

Glen Oliver, Horticultural Technical Officer, has been showing students how to capture pollen from male date flowers.

Pollen release in dates occurs from June to August depending on the variety. At AZRI we have Jarvis, Fard and Boyer (male palm trees). Mature flowers are collected, left in the hothouse to dry then the flowers are cut and crumpled by hand before separating the pollen from the flower using a sifter and a paint brush.

Glen (on the left) showing VET students (Cert I in AgriFood Operations) how to collect pollen from male date flowers.