High Level Of Interest In Maori Agribusiness Funding Round

High Level Of Interest In Maori Agribusiness Funding Round

The Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) is reporting a high level of interest from groups seeking to promote sustainable resource use in Maori agribusiness.

MPI’s Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) provides co-funding for small to medium-scale applied research and extension projects.

In August 2012, MPI held a special SFF round for Maori agribusiness, offering approximately $1 million of co-investment funding.

MPI has committed to undertake activities that specifically foster opportunities for Maori agribusiness.

The special round was open for a month and MPI aims to have funding contractually committed before the end of December 2012 (with most to be spent in the first year but possibly spread over three years).

MPI received 47 applications for the special funding, with 14 approved subject to contracts being approved. Details of these will be announced in the coming months as contracts are negotiated.

“MPI is committed to working with all of our stakeholders, including Maori agribusiness, to ensure that funds like the SFF deliver tangible results to the primary sector”, says MPI Deputy Director-General Scott Gallacher says.

Meanwhile, the main 2013 annual SFF round opened in late August with up to $8 million of co-investment funding on offer for projects that will encourage sustainable resource use in the primary sectors. Applications closed recently and applicants will be notified by the end of February 2013, with contracts in place so work can commence from July 1, 2013.

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