Media release: 21 March 2012

New Agri-Business Innovation Park For Mid Canterbury

Grow Mid Canterbury and the Ashburton District Council, in partnership with Eden AgriCapital, have announced a $30 million investment in a new agri-business innovation park.

The Canterbury-wide project is aimed at increasing the commercialisation and sale of agri-technology systems by grouping together a range of complementary companies, and enabling synergies to boost innovation and create new pathways to export markets. A memorandum of understanding was signed by the District’s economic development agency, Grow Mid Canterbury, Ashburton District Council and Eden AgriCapital at a ceremony at the Ashburton Council Chambers this morning.

This project is the outcome of research carried out in Canterbury over 18 months to identify the scale of agri-business innovation and the issues affecting its commercialisation, says Grow Mid Canterbury chief executive Rob Brawley.

“The research indicated a real need to build on significant agricultural production and processing to leverage the value pyramid, further developing agri-business technology and system innovation, and commercialising the innovation,” says Mr. Brawley.

“The Innovation Park is a key initiative designed to provide a clear pathway for the growth and development of the Canterbury and Mid Canterbury district, aligning closely with the New Zealand Trade and Enterprise agri-business value chain work.”

The Canterbury Agri-business Innovation Park will be located within the Ashburton Business Estate, a 123-hectare development on the edge of Ashburton.

Eden AgriCapital director Craig Weise says the investment offered exciting potential for spurring innovation. “Eden AgriCapital has been established to capitalise on the world’s need to increase agricultural productivity and New Zealand’s unique role in meeting this need,” says Mr. Weise.

“The Mid Canterbury district has a strong history of leadership in this area, which makes it the ideal place to invest and drive growth.”

Ashburton District Council Mayor Angus McKay says the Canterbury Agri-business Innovation Park will provide a significant boost to the region’s economy. “This new Innovation Park will enable us to attract investment and business to the region, whilst creating high paying, value added jobs in the export market,” says Mr. McKay.

“This is one of a number of initiatives we are undertaking to ensure the Mid Canterbury District and Canterbury region continues to be an engine of growth, and a thriving hub for business and investment.”

The Mid Canterbury district is home to the most productive irrigated farmland in New Zealand, and is a vital hub for dairying and mixed cropped farming. The area has the most flat, arable land in New Zealand, is home to 50% of New Zealand’s arable industry and 70% of the country’s small seed industry.

Mr. Brawley says a specialised Agri-business Innovation Park will help to position Canterbury as a key producer of value added agricultural products, at a time when demand for those products is set to soar. “The United Nations estimates that with the world population set to reach 9 billion by 2050, global food production will need to be 100% higher than it is now, and that 70% of that extra food supply will need to come from better use of science, innovation and technology,” says Mr Brawley.

“The Canterbury Agri-business Innovation Park will position our region to take a world leading role in meeting that challenge. By diversifying agri-business exports beyond commodity products, we can leverage this economic opportunity to increase Canterbury and New Zealand’s export of value-add products.”

ENDS

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