The discovery of cucumber green mottle mosaic virus (CGMMV) in crops around Katherine back in 2014, meant the destruction of crops and quarantine restrictions placed on over 20 farms. The lifting of these quarantine measures last month has seen some growers already start planting again.
Mick Jakob from Red Dirt Melons is busy planting watermelons and rockmelons on a farm south of town. He is not planting on soil which previously tested positive to CGMMV, but is confident with planting crops nearby.
“The virus is found in other countries and they’ve learnt to manage it, so I’m confident we can hopefully keep it out.
“We’ll try to keep the farm hygiene high and biosecurity is very important.”
Mr Jakob said the farm had an extensive biosecurity plan in place, but hoped he would never have to deal with CGMMV again.
While many growers in the region spent the last two years planting other crops or not planting at all, Red Dirt Melons made the extraordinary decision to move its operation temporarily across the border to Kununurra in Western Australia.
Mr Jakob said the move was worth doing, but was a lot of work.
“We grew 200 hectares of watermelons, built a 1,000 square metre shed, built our accommodation, it was not easy.
“And moving back, 20 semi-trailer loads later, we’re back home, it was a huge move to get the farm ready for this season, but it’s looking good.
“We should be picking in May and I think all farmers here in Katherine are due for a good year, because last year it [the virus] cost people a lot of money.”
Source: Fresh Plaza