A Brisbane-based agriculture company has been selected as the preferred developer of the Northern Territory’s single largest land release for agricultural development; a 67,500 hectare project near the WA border.

AAM Investment Group (AAMIG) has been selected by the government to develop the Keep Plains Agricultural Development located adjacent to the Ord River agricultural development and its existing infrastructure and irrigation channels.

AAMIG’s proposal is to start with dryland farming on Keep Plains, while pursuing options for growing crops including maize, mangoes, bananas, tree nuts and other fruit and vegetables, the company said.

AAMIG runs cattle at its nearby Legune Station and has agriculture assets elsewhere in Australia, including farming and livestock operations in NSW, Queensland and South Australia.

AAMIG and the Northern Territory Land Corporation will now enter into negotiations to finalise a Project Development Agreement.

NT Land Corporation general manager Michael Holmes said the selection of AAMIG followed a rigorous process.

NT Farmers Association CEO Paul Burke said the Keep Plains development will be a long-term economic winner for the region.

“The Northern Territory has diverse and well-established agriculture, forestry and fisheries sectors, and significant opportunity for development and growth as Australia’s closest capital city to Asia’s key trading markets, with efficient supply chains by road, rail, air and sea,” Mr Burke said.