Unless local researchers move quickly, industries from overseas are likely to begin growing these species, Dr Ryder has warned. The research is to focus on quandongs, mountain pepper, bush tomatoes, muntries, riberries and native citrus. All these plants suffer from the vagaries of life in the wild and their supply is frustratingly unreliable for bushtucker wholesalers. There is a need for change in Australia's agricultural systems, to reduce the impact caused by detrimental farming practices. The successful cultivation of food plants that are native to this continent is likely to be beneficial to this process because they are well adapted to the Australian environment.
Aboriginal people are also to be involved in the research.
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