The NTCA executive met last week and reaffirmed its support for diversification of the pastoral estate.

The association said it had advocated hard for the ability to develop the pastoral estate for non-pastoral uses with the least administrative burden as possible.

Of concern has been proposed changes to the Non-Pastoral Permit system allowed in the the Pastoral Land Act which would allow lease-holders to diversify their operations into broadacre crops like cotton.

Non-Pastoral Use permits allow for pastoral properties to diversify into other areas including crops, aquaculture, forestry and tourism.

"A lot of potential crops are being explored including cotton," the NTCA said.

"The NTCA executive believes cotton offers the Territory pastoral sector a real opportunity as both a crop for development but also the by-product of cotton seed.

"To achieve this there will need to be an expansion in the size of the current cotton harvest to ensure the commercial viability of a cotton gin in the Katherine region.

"The new breed of cotton being grown requires less water and has increased resistance to pests and bugs."

There is about 1000 hectares of cotton grown across the Top End at present but the industry expects to quickly ramp up to 10,000 hectares.

Katherine Town Council has also given its support to the NT Farmers push for taxpayer investment into a cotton gin in Katherine.

A field day in the Douglas-Daly was told on Friday the cotton gin was necessary to grow the industry.

Most opponents of cotton are reassured the bulk of the Territory's crop will be rain-fed through wet season rains.

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