It is a new government-backed initiative looking at the best way to convert ideas from scientific research into innovations that will improve New Zealand’s economy.
The project, led by AgResearch scientist Dr James Turner, is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment and will include scientists from a number of primary industry sector research organisations, growers, farmers and foresters.
“We are looking at how innovation happens in the primary industries. If we can find ways to improve the innovation system the benefits will be considerable,” Turner said.
“We’ve seen before how when great ideas coming out of science are actually put into practice there can be significant economic benefits.
“We’re hoping to create a repeatable process for making that happen routinely and create more success stories for farmers and growers.”
The New Zealand project will draw from a similar research project in The Netherlands, led by Dr Laurens Klerkx.
Klerkx will be in New Zealand from December 17 to run a number of workshops to help launch the project.
In the New Zealand project research will cover several case studies across the primary sector.
Mark Paine, DairyNZ’s Strategy and Investment Leader People and Business, said focusing on the connection between science and the end user of the research was important.
“We have innovative farmers and we have scientists capable of providing innovative solutions,” he said.
“The aim of primary innovation is to make those connections ‘real world’ to create a sustainable economic difference.”
