Urgent action needed to restore Waikato lakes' health
Waikato is home to a diverse range of lakes, and experts say they urgently need better management and restoration.
Priority One and the University of Waikato have worked with a consortium of eight of the region's businesses to get $8.4 million from the Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment (MBIE) to help set up the institute.
The Plantech founding group includes the companies Bluelab, Cucumber, GPS-It, Eurofins, Plus Group Horticulture, Trimax Mowing Systems, Waka Digital and Zespri International, alongside Priority One and the University of Waikato.
Plantech’s research will be commercialised nationally and globally in such markets as sports fields, hydroponics, logistics, primary industry land use and horticultural technologies.
Priority One chief executive Nigel Tuff told Rural News of three main focus areas of research initially.
The first is data management -- collecting more data with sensors, drones and GPS technology, then effectively integrating that data so it is useable. The more data collected the harder it is to manage, so solving that is important, Tuff explains. Secondly comes research into autonomous vehicles and robotics, and thirdly point-of-contact decisionmaking.
“The aim is to equip people in the orchards or wherever they might be within the growing system with the information they need to make the correct decisions,” he says. “That could be, say, fertiliser application or sugar content.”
The early research will be specific to those areas but it will expand over time. “Those are the areas where the eight companies collectively see the gaps and where the research needs to happen now to make real gains in the growing system.
“We are excited that it will be great for the companies involved and the horticulture industry as a whole. We are looking forward to getting it up and running.”
Matt Flowerday, founder and chief executive of GPS-It says “I’ve travelled the world looking for a hort-focused innovation centre and have yet to find anything suitable, so I’m excited to have the opportunity to help create one on my doorstep and use it as a springboard to take on the world with New Zealand created innovation and technology.”
Brett Hewlett, chair of Priority One, says Plantech aims to accelerate growth of individual companies and build regional and national capability in applying advanced technologies.
Dr Alistair Scarfe, founder and chief technology officer of Robotics Plus Ltd, says Plantech will power up collaboration with other horticulture-focused businesses and science institutions.
“Through partnerships forged in Plantech, we will strengthen hi-tech exports and give NZ primary industry a hi-tech productivity boost.”
Science and Innovation Minister Paul Goldsmith says the new institute will be a test-bed for research and technology development that could transform the horticulture sector.
The Government will pay $8.42m over five years into Plantech and industry will also help fund it. It will run as a private company based in western Bay of Plenty.
Its research will initially be aimed at digital automation of devices for growers, including robotics and digital sensing. Its aim is to lead in supporting customised, precise and automated production systems for businesses of various sizes.
Plantech will employ experts in data sciences and automation and will focus on premium, natural plant production. It will work with local industry, research organisations and international partners.
The expected start-up date is late 2017 pending arrangements with MBIE.
