“The PGP invests in major programmes of research and innovation to boost New Zealand’s farming, forestry and food sectors,” he said.
“PGP and co-investors have so far committed $658 million of multi-year funding for 13 projects. The potential benefit to the wider economy from these projects is over $7 billion per year from 2025.
“Increasing productivity will be crucial in achieving the Government’s goal of doubling primary exports by 2025,” Guy said.
Some examples of projects include:
- The FarmIQ programme now has more than 500 farmers involved and has released a Pilot Farm Management system.
- An Audited Nutrient Management System is now available for use by farmers and dairy companies as a result of work in the Dairy PGP programme.
- Two large-scale, high-performance Manuka honey plantation trials are now well-established and a third was planted in October 2012.
- Precision Seafood Harvesting's first trawl prototypes are performing well against the objective of delivering low-fatigue, low-damage, high-value fish.
- Early market research as part of ANZCO’s FoodPlus programme has identified opportunities for development of new products from lower-value parts of the beef carcase.
Each project is subject to careful monitoring. The Ministry for Primary Industries’ oversight includes a requirement for quarterly reporting against the contractual milestones and progress payments are tied to this information.
Applications for the ninth round of PGP funding must be received by noon on September 19. Applicants will be advised of the outcome and whether they will be invited to progress their proposal by late November 2013.
Three years of the Primary Growth Partnership will be celebrated at a function at Parliament on Monday.
More information is available at: http://www.mpi.govt.nz/agriculture/funding-programmes/primary-growth-partnership.aspx
