Initial results indicate that it was a great season with strong yields and promising volumes of lint on each seed.

This year's successful harvest is further evidence that cotton can offer the region sustainable economic opportunities.

Until a cotton gin is built outside Katherine, bales of cotton will need to be transported to Queensland for processing.

If you have been on certain roads in the area, you may have noticed cotton lint on the roadside.

During transport on semi trailers, pieces of lint dislodge from the exposed open bales and fly away.

The lint is completely natural and does not pose any risk to the surrounding environment.

Prior to recent commercial cotton trials, significant multi year studies were undertaken around Katherine to assess the impact cotton would have on the environment.

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It was found that the risk of both conventional and genetically modified cotton becoming a weed is extremely low.

Outside the farm, cotton simply cannot effectively withstand our harsh environment.

Insufficient soil nutrients, pests, cattle grazing and fires all contribute to prevent cotton from becoming a weed and threatening our unique environment.

In many ways, cotton is perfectly suited for our region. It is an extremely water efficient crop, it requires minimal chemical inputs and the seed can be used as a protein rich feed source for the cattle industry.

We must seize the opportunity to responsibly grow cotton in the region and create jobs and economic growth for our towns.

Tell us your news: Hey Katherine, what's happening in your neck of the woods?

Shortly, work will commence on a cotton gin at Tarwoo Station, once established it will deliver roughly 88 full time jobs in Katherine.

Additional jobs will also be created as the industry expands and a wide range of workers will be needed for growing, harvesting, processing and exporting our cotton.

It is expected that within a decade the NT cotton industry will generate $250 million per year. Much of this income will stay in the Territory and contribute to the development of the Katherine region.

Unlike boom-and-bust industries, farming is sustainable and renewable, it will create genuine long term economic growth for Territorians.

Do you have something to say? Send us a letter to the editor

Cotton offers the chance to create a brighter and more prosperous future for us and our children, it is time to support the emerging industry. In the future we will see that it is possible to create cotton jobs for our children while maintaining the integrity of our special natural environment.

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