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Chris Pham is a 26-year-old grower from Nexgen Produce in Marrakai in the Northern Territory. We profiled him in the January/February 2017 edition of Vegetables Australia magazine.
Fast facts
Name: Chris Pham
Location: Marrakai, NT
Works: Nexgen Produce
Grows: Lebanese cucumber, snake beans, bitter melon, sin quar, winter melon, long melon, okra
How did you first become involved in the vegetable industry?
I’ve been involved in farming since my parents moved up to Darwin back in 1996. As a child, I would do the odd jobs around the farm with my brothers to help out Mum and Dad.
What is your role in the business?
I am currently the owner/operator of Nexgen Produce. My parents are semi-retiring and have been kind enough to let me use their land to cultivate my own produce.
How would you describe your average day at work?
I can sum it up in one word and that would be BUSY. No two days are the same but there is always something to do.
What do you enjoy most about working in the vegetable industry, and how do you maintain your enthusiasm?
I enjoy the process of watching my crops grow from a tiny seedling to a fully-fledged harvest. There is something very beautiful and satisfying about knowing that my produce will end up at a family dining table. This is what keeps my enthusiasm and motivation up.
What are the biggest challenges you face working in the industry?
As we have well and truly moved into the wet season in the NT, one of the main challenges I’m facing as a new farmer is controlling the amount of water to feed the crops.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
My greatest achievement so far is simply being recognised by my own parents, who have been farming for over 20 years, as being very capable of running the farm. My father especially has been a great mentor and with both their guidance, I hope to achieve much more.
"I enjoy the process of watching my crops grow from a tiny seedling to a fully-fledged harvest. There is something very beautiful and satisfying about knowing that my produce will end up at a family dining table."
How do you think more young people could be encouraged to study and take up jobs in the vegetable industry?
I personally feel that in the last couple of years there has been this major health kick epidemic that’s taken over social media. There are so many people now who are health conscious, who are heading to the gym and eating a more healthy diet. I feel that if we start talking more about where healthy food comes from, and how it is produced and harvested, it will encourage the younger generation to be more interested and involved in the vegetable industry.
Where do you see opportunities for growth in the Australian vegetable industry?
I definitely see growth in the export sector of the vegetable industry. As a country, our produce is one of the highest of qualities in the world and there is a big demand for that.
If you weren’t working in the vegetable industry, what would you be doing?
Believe it or not, I was working for one of the big four banks before farming. So I guess if I wasn’t given the opportunity to take over the farm, I would still be in the corporate world.
Where do you see yourself in five years?
I see myself still farming in the next five years, but on a bigger scale. I also hope that in due time I can set up and branch out into the organic market.
This grower profile first appeared in the leading magazine for the Australian vegetable industry, Vegetables Australia. If you’d like to subscribe to receive a new edition of Vegetables Australia in your mailbox every two months, use our online subscription form!