Humpty Doo barramundi business continues to grab attention

AUSTRALIA’S largest barra farmer, Humpty Doo Barramundi, continues to capture the attention of business and key industry groups

Harvester Dael Enfamti ducks barramundi as they jump out of the water at the Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm. Picture: Keri Megelus

AUSTRALIA’S largest barra farmer, Humpty Doo Barramundi, continues to capture the attention of business and key industry groups.

Business Council of Australia chief executive officer Jennifer Westacott is among the latest to acknowledge the farm’s growth and success.

Ms Westacott says the farm is another example of how business provides jobs and opportunities.

“Business employs more than 10 million people in Australia,” Ms Westacott says.

“If we want to keep job creation happening, we need to create the right opportunities for business, particularly in a region like Darwin.

Humpty Doo Barramundi Farm owners Dan Richards, left, and dad Bob Richards. Picture: Supplied

“Aquaculture (fish farming) is growing rapidly and in this case the Humpty Doo business is creating much-needed local jobs.”

The family-owned business has grown to employ almost 80 people and the owners are recruiting more locals to work on the aquaculture farm to meet the increasing appetite for the Australian-grown silver-coloured fish.

Owner and chief executive officer Dan Richards is happy with the business’ progress and is leaving no stone unturned in keeping it that way.

Mr Richards’ business was among 10 from around the country selected for an ANZ nine-month intensive Business Growth Program.

The program was delivered by The Centre for Business Growth, University of SA with global growth expert Dr Jana Matthews.

It included one-day clinics, three growth modules delivered over nine months, face-to-face mentoring and coaching. The program is aimed at CEOs of companies with more than $5 million in annual sales.

“We’re trying to create opportunities here in the Northern Territory, particularly while the economy here is doing it pretty tough,” Mr Richards said.

A recent report by the Industry Skills Advisory Council NT found that aquaculture businesses were “significant employers” and a growth sector. Humpty Doo Barramundi has grown from producing a humble 6kg of barramundi a week when it started in 1993 to now producing about 60,000kg a week.

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The value of aquaculture grew by 40 per cent in 2016-17 to $34 million in the Northern Territory, according to data from the Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics and Sciences.

Humpty Doo Barramundi is now found in the Qantas business menus designed by celebrity chef Neil Perry and in restaurants at home and abroad.

Originally published as Humpty Doo barramundi business continues to grab attention