NACRA is based in the East Kimberley's; Ord River Irrigation Area (ORIA), which has supported irrigated horticulture, grain, and other crops since the 1960's.

NACRA's primary aim is to undertake research into suitable food and fibre crop species (both new and existing) to improve the region's competitiveness and to meet growing international and domestic demand. NACRA is industry driven, outcomes focused and has good 'market pull' due to each partner's sales activities in both
domestic and export arenas. NACRA initially had a focus in the high trending functional food space, but the scope has broadened to include all food and fibre crops of regional interest both now and into the future.
NACRA is also a world class crop R&D service provider on a 'fee for service' basis.