A major research project is underway to find a long-term solution to a growing issue in Australia's north - stopping magpie geese from eating mangoes.

Farmers met in Darwin's rural area last week to talk about possible solutions and provide input to a research initiative backed by Horticulture Innovation Australia (HIA), the Northern Territory Government, NT Farmers Association and Charles Darwin University.

Farmers say the problem is getting worse, with some reporting more than 50 per cent of their mango crop was destroyed last season by magpie geese.

Dr Warren Hunt from the NT Department of Primary Industry said working out why the geese's appetite for mangoes was increasing would be the first step of the research project.

"There's always been a background presence of magpie geese in and around orchards, but things seemed to have escalated and it's been suggested that 2012 might have been a turning point," he said.

"So we need to understand what's happening with the birds, but the other side of this project is to look at some novel damage mitigation techniques."

Dr Hamish Campbell from Charles Darwin University said a combination of scare-techniques would be tested in the next mango season, but a long-term solution was the overall aim.

"Magpie geese really are a herbivorous bird, they feed on wild rice and such, so to see this switch in the population to become really a frugivore is unusual from a biological perspective, but obviously a real pain in the neck for the farmers," he said.

"We have to look at a regional scale solution, whilst at the same time looking at on-farm short term solutions, to get a relief for farmers while we get to the crux of the problem, because I don't think we'll solve it within one season."

Mango grower Martina Matzner said her orchard had around 15,000 geese on it during periods of last year's mango season. Farmers meet in Darwin's rural area to work out ways of keeping magpie geese off crops. ( ABC Rural: Matt Brann )

Although many growers are asking for more geese to be shot, Ms Matzner was confident other solutions can be found.

"No one wants to shoot the birds, I certainly don't, they're an icon to the Northern Territory, the idea is to develop something that's sustainable," she said.

"If horticulture is going to increase up here significantly in the future, we really have to work together on these problems that are popping up.

"It's magpie geese today, but might be corellas tomorrow, we have to work together to find a solution that's sustainable.

"We might have to accept a certain amount of damage, but we certainly have to ensure we minimise it to an extent to remain sustainable, we won't exist much longer if we're losing 50 per cent of the crop for example."

The Country Hour broadcast from the workshop last week and hosted a panel discussion that included:

- Martina Matzner (Mango farmer and NT RIRDC Rural Women's Award winner)

- Han Shiong Siah (Mango farmer and Nuffield Scholar)

- Dr Warren Hunt (NT Department of Primary Industry); and

- Dr Hamish Campbell (Charles Darwin University)

Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume. Listen Duration: 20 minutes 42 seconds 20 m Country Hour discussion panel on magpie geese and mangoes ( Matt Brann ) Download 9.5 MB