Hothouse addition will see bountiful supply

More than 600 Ezidi refugees, who fled prosecution in Northern Iraq, call Armidale, NSW, home. Less than 100 have found jobs.

In 2021, Armidale Rotarians donated land to create community gardens that would allow refugees to work and grow food.

Now, the Ezidi farmers will be able to propagate vegetables all-year round, with Northern Tablelands MP Adam Marshall and Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure announcing $5,000 to add a hothouse to the site of the Regional Agricultural Employment Project (REAP).

Last year the State Government provided $29,559 to support the Rotary Club of Armidale and Northern Settlement Services’ REAP program, which provides access to farmland for people from migrant and refugee backgrounds to apply and adapt their existing rural skills in the Australian context.

Mr Marshall said several participants had experience working in greenhouses in Iraq.

“While REAP is teaching Ezidi migrants the skills they need to succeed in an Australian horticultural context, it is important efforts are made to foster their pre-existing capabilities.

“This grant will fund the construction of a 15 metre by 4.2 metre hothouse with galvanised pipe frame and shade cloth cover,” Mr Marshall said.

“Farmers are currently only growing crops that can be harvested in summer. A hothouse will extend the planting opportunities on offer. The structure’s design has been developed with consideration of the region’s cold winter climate.

“It was great to be able to show Minister Coure the incredible work being done here in our region to empower refugees to establish their own market-garden operations and become autonomous producers.”

Rotary Club of Armidale President Bernie Perkins said new State Government funded infrastructure had greatly improved the farming operation.

“As a result of last year’s funding, new storage sheds have been erected to store equipment at the two four-hectare plots,” Bernie said. “A dedicated community and WHS space has also been established to provide shelter and an area for gatherings.

“Our club is proud of the progress that has been made through REAP, to provide long-term employment and sustainable business benefits to the Ezidi community.

“The program has allowed Ezidi refugees to realise their dream of growing a new life in the region, and I look forward to seeing the various crops that flourish as a result of this grant.”