Charles Darwin University will host a series of new drought resilience centres announced by the federal government, with a Katherine site set to be included.
Plans for the Top End Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub were revealed on Thursday, and the government said it will be the centre of new projects and practices aimed at boosting drought resilience in the NT and Western Australian agricultural industry.
The hub will be based in Darwin, with smaller centres in Katherine, Alice Springs, Broome and Perth.
A CDU spokesperson said plans are at an "early stage" and the Katherine location, and what sort of infrastructure it will include, have not been decided yet.
CDU Vice-Chancellor Scott Bowman AO said the university wants to help primary producers who are currently battling drought and help prepare them for future seasons.
"Charles Darwin University is thrilled lead the Top End Drought Resilience Adoption and Innovation Hub on behalf of our partners," Professor Bowman said.
"The hub will empower primary producers with the practical tools and information they need during future dry conditions to maintain productivity, remain competitive and increase community resilience to drought impacts."
The hub will receive $8 million from the Federal Government, with a combined $13.9 million contribution from the hub members.
NT members include the NT Cattleman's Association, NT Farmers Association, Territory Natural Resource Management, Regional Development Australia NT and the NT Government.
The Top End centres are part of eight hubs to be established around the country through the federal government's $5 billion Future Drought Fund.
NT Senator Sam McMahon said the hub is expected to be the centre for innovation in agricultural drought resilience.
"The major focus of the Top End hub will be on co-creating innovative tools, techniques and practices to support producers and their communities to achieve greater efficiency and sustainability in agricultural lands management," she said.
"I would expect the hub will work closely with the network of existing research farms in the Northern Territory and Western Australia to avoid duplication."
While Katherine is currently coming towards the end of one of its wettest wet seasons ever, the region has undergone severe rain shortages in the recent past, including the worst wet season in 58 years in 2019/20.
