Fact sheet: Native grain species
Trees, shrubs, grasses and even small herbs produce seed. Seeds are designed to have carbohydrate, protein and enzymes for young plants and are excellent food...
19 pages
Published: 19 May 2023
Author(s): Kate Howell, Mahya Tavan, Sajitha Biju
ISBN: 978-1-76053-371-7
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Teff [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a minor, warm-season cereal crop originating in Ethiopia that is a nutritionally dense, gluten-free grain with strong biotic and abiotic stress resistance, and that is an excellent source of dietary protein. There is no large-scale production of teff in Australia, however there are small plantings in Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria, where cultivars are adapted to growth at soil temperatures 15-25 °C.
One of the major limitations to growing this crop in Australia is the availability of enough information on suitable cultivars, cultivation strategies and production dynamics. This feasibility study, which includes a literature review summarising previous teff research conducted, provides insight into the viability of growing the Australian teff industry. It is the result of extensive desktop research to determine the potential of teff production in Australia, and makes recommendations on next steps to further establish the industry.