$4.7 Million In Funding For SVS From MPI
A project to boost vegetable growers’ efforts to care
for the health of the environment while supplying fresh,
healthy food, has received $4.7 million in government
backing from the Ministry for Primary Industries
(MPI).
The funding adds to the $2.8 million already
invested by industry into Sustainable Vegetable Systems,
a four-year project, focused on improving crop nutrient
management for the growing of potatoes, onions, brassicas,
butternut squash, carrots, and leafy greens.
MPI is
investing in the project from the Productive and
Sustainable Land Use package, which promotes farming and
growing practices that deliver more value and improved
environmental outcomes.
The project was established by
Potatoes NZ, partnering with Horticulture New Zealand and
vegetable groups Onions New Zealand, Vegetables New Zealand,
Processed Vegetables New Zealand, and NZ Buttercup Squash,
under their umbrella of the Vegetable Research and
Innovation Board.
“This project will give growers
the ability to accurately manage nutrient flows, while
meeting demand for quality produce, meaning better
environmental outcomes,” said Potatoes NZ CEO, Chris
Claridge.
MPI’s Director for Land, Water and Climate
Policy, Charlotte Denny, said having robust tools to measure
their environmental impact will help growers operate more
efficiently, and reduce nitrate leaching.
“This is an
important industry-led programme, and the scientific data
gathered will inform and help develop decision tools for
growers to support more sustainable growing practices”,
Charlotte Denny said.
Plant & Food Research is
undertaking the work to quantify and model nitrate leaching.
The project will engage with vegetable growers around New
Zealand, providing tools to help them apply effective
nitrate management techniques suited to their land and
operations.
The Sustainable Vegetable Systems
project will have nine commercial field sites across the
country in Canterbury, Hawke’s Bay, Horowhenua, Waikato
and Pukekohe as well as trials at Plant & Food Research
facilities in Lincoln and Hawke’s Bay.
Chris Claridge
said this project will give the vegetable growing sector
improved tools to estimate nitrate leaching, an area where
the sector is currently underserved.
“This project will
enable growers to assess which management techniques will
best reduce their risk of nitrate leaching, so they can
confidently make changes in practice,” Chris Claridge
said.
David Hadfield, Chair of the VR&I Board says
that the Board, and the vegetable product groups it
represents, strongly advocate for science that supports
vegetable growers to build on their current knowledge, and
improve their monitoring and management of nitrate
leaching.
“This work will underpin the ability of
vegetable growers to keep producing fresh healthy vegetables
using the most sustainable approaches,” David Hadfield
said.
“Ultimately, this will ensure a more prosperous,
vibrant and sustainable New Zealand for many generations to
come.”