An 11-day study tour of the north is part of a full and varied learning program being maintained for the final group of students studying for the Charles Sturt University Bachelor of Agricultural Business Management at Muresk.
The tour is in keeping with a promise by the School of Agribusiness to provide the same learning experiences that have been a characteristic of the course since it started in 2014.
In previous years groups have toured South Africa, Europe along with Queensland and New South Wales last year.
Twenty students and staff including several from the degree course in the eastern states, will travel in a convoy of 4WD camper vehicles from Broome to Darwin visiting numerous enterprises along the way.
Among them are Sandon Knipe and Julia Levtchenko (Northam), Judy Storer (Meckering) and Euan Grylls (Bencubbin).
Head of the School of Agribusiness at Muresk Dr Christine Storer said the tour was to give the students an understanding of tropical farming and agricultural systems.
It would also provide insight into working in remote areas, trade with Asian markets as well as opportunities to interact with others to develop teamwork and leadership skills.
"The tour follows a tradition of the course to enable students to experience primary production and business in different climates and cultures," Dr Storer said.
"Very few of the students have been to the tropics or remote north.
"They will meet former students from Muresk at Broome, Kununurra and Darwin and learn about job opportunities in the region.
"Our aim is to produce graduates with skills and understanding ready for work in a wide range of industries.
"Each student is responsible for providing briefing notes and overseeing two of the visits during the tour."
Visits will include one looking at modern pearl and Barramundi farming and traditional fishing methods used by indigenous people.
"The itinerary includes feedlots and abattoirs on cattle stations along with quail and crocodile farming," Dr Storer said.
"There will be visits to cotton, soy, rice and sandalwood enterprises."
At the end of the tour after submission of a detailed report, students will gain credit for a subject towards their degree.
Lindsay McNeill is the media officer for the Central Regional TAFE School of Agribusiness.
