Communities in the project area have traditionally been hunter-gatherer societies. With the rapid transition into a cash economy from royalty and equity income, there is a growing reliance on cash and increased consumption of imported and processed foods. The agriculture program therefore aims to provide an alternative avenue for increasing food security and generating income through commercial agriculture and fisheries.

This program will become increasingly important as monetary benefit streams from oil and gas production in the area diminishes over time. Agricultural demonstration centres at each CDI location experiment with new crops and farming techniques and offer a wide range of agricultural training and awareness activities. Training and information is also made available to many sectors of the community to ensure that useful farming practices are identified and shared.