MOU a significant milestone
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Lincoln University and Ballance Agri-Nutrients is being hailed as a significant milestone.
The agri-food sector in New Zealand contributes around one fifth of the country's GDP according to a new study.
The study, released by the Agribusiness and Economics Research Unit (AERU) at Lincoln University, says there are some key actions to keep that contribution strong.
The Land and the Brand report, authored by Professor Caroline Saunders and Professor Paul Dalziel, aimed to measure the sector's economic impact and to analyse how the sector can (and must) continue to grow to support the wellbeing of New Zealanders.
Agri-food produce grown from the country's natural resources make up more than 70% of New Zealand's merchandise exports. This includes dairy products, meat and wool products, forestry and wood products, horticulture products and seafood.
The study found that in 2011/12, the growing and harvesting of products contributed 6% of GDP, or $12 billion, to the economy. Processing those products doubled the sector's value to $25 billion or 12% of GDP.
"These primary and processing activities themselves then draw on additional goods and services across the whole economy," explained Professor Saunders. "If you take these indirect effects into account, the total size of the agri-food sector was $40 billion in 2011/12. That's nearly $1 for every $5 spent in the economy that year."
The Land and the Brand study looked at not just the economic data but also the future of the sector, setting out a vision for future growth. Continued commercial success requires a combination of industry leadership, effective science, skilled people and cooperative investment – all working towards production of high value products from the agri-food sector, rather than treating our agri-food products as low-cost commodity items.
"The findings underscore how critical the industry is to our economic health, and the future opportunities for New Zealand as a high profile country-of-origin for quality food and beverages," said Professor Dalziel.
"We need to continue to move away from New Zealand being known as a low-cost provider of agri-food commodities, to being known as a high value provider of agri-food products.
· The Land and the Brand report will be discussed at a free public lecture at Lincoln University on 22 March (4.30pm, C2 in the Commerce Building).
Rural banker Rabobank is partnering with Food Rescue Kitchen on a new TV series which airs this weekend that aims to shine a light on the real and growing issues of food waste, food poverty and social isolation in New Zealand.
Telco infrastructure provider Chorus says that it believes all Kiwis – particularly those in the rural areas – need access to high-speed, reliable broadband.
World Veterinary Day falls on Saturday 27 April.
The Director General of MPI, Ray Smith says it's important for his department to celebrate the success of a whole range of groups and people around the country.
A small company which mobilised veterinarians around the country to deal with Mycoplasma bovis was one of the winners in this year's Biosecurity Awards, held at Parliament.
One of the country's top Māori sheep and beef farms is facing a five-year battle to get back to where it was before Cyclone Gabrielle struck just over 14 months ago.
OPINION: The new government has clearly signalled big cuts across the public service.
OPINION: Your canine crusader is not surprised by the recent news that New Zealand plant-based ‘fake meat’ business is in…