Friday, 12 February 2021 13:25

OANZ receives MPI funding for organic sector strategy

Written by Staff Reporters

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Organics Aotearoa New Zealand have received funding from MPI to develop a new sector strategy.

Organics Aotearoa New Zealand (OANZ) has received $212,500 from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food & Fibre Futures fund, to go towards developing a three-year organic sector strategy.

The project was costed at $376k and OANZ says that MPI’s contribution is extremely welcome.

“The sector’s collective buy-in, along with MPI’s funding for this strategy is instrumental in advancing the sector,” says OANZ chief executive Viv Williams.

“The strategy will look at how the organic sector can on one hand increase consumer demand, and on the other increase the share of organic produce, products and supporting the organic sector ecosystem that makes up the economy.”

Through its strategy, OANZ says it intends to identify shared challenges and opportunities; strengthen the evidence base for action; find consensus upon a vision for the sector; and set out actions for the sector’s transformation and growth within its domestic and international contexts.

“It is crucial for the sector to be able to bring forward issues and ideas to government that are grounded in the realities of the sector.

MPI investment programmes director Steve Penno says OANZ represents the majority of the organic sector and is well-placed to deliver this work.

“An organic strategy will act as an important tool to unify the sector and enable it to respond collectively to challenges and opportunities,” he says.

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