Time for Reality, Not Fantasy Scenarios
OPINION: Back in April, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change delivered an update that should have triggered an 8.5 magnitude earthquake in the world of climate change policy.
Launching the Early Adoption Accelerator today, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Agriculture Minister Hon Todd McClay confirmed the Government will provide up to $51 million over three years to co-fund projects delivered through the initiative to accelerate early adoption of tools and technology that lower on farm emissions.
Supporting Faster Adoption of Proven Tools
AgriZeroNZ will administer the funds and is seeking expressions of interest from farming businesses, product developers and agribusinesses to lead or participate in projects that advance the use of these tools on farm.
Wayne McNee, AgriZeroNZ chief executive, says the Early Adoption Accelerator fits within the public-private partnership’s role to accelerate the development and deployment of tools as more options are expected to become available for farmers soon.
“We’re investing in a range of companies and projects to build a strong pipeline of tools that will enable Kiwi farmers to reduce emissions," McNee says.
"With these tools getting closer to on-farm use, our investors across the public and private sectors asked us to play a bigger role in their uptake."
“The Accelerator is designed to advance farmer-led uptake by addressing common barriers that can slow the adoption of new technologies and help bridge the gap between early availability and widespread uptake, particularly as the companies providing the tools scale up.”
Bridging the Gap Between Innovation and Farm Use
A key focus of the initiative will be putting the tools into practice and sharing the farmer insights with the wider sector, McNee says.
“By demonstrating the tools in action, we can give farmers the evidence and confidence they need to make informed decisions for their businesses and help pave the way for broader use across the sector.”
To date, AgriZeroNZ has invested $79.9 million in 18 companies, research projects and trials, accelerating a pipeline of tools ranging from inhibitors to probiotics, pastures, animal wearables and vaccines. Several are expected to become available over the next few years.
Farmer-Led Innovation and On-Farm Testing
Cameron Black, a Southland farmer and member of AgriZeroNZ’s Farmer Focus Group, said working alongside farmers would be critical to supporting uptake as new tools emerge.
“New Zealand farmers can be pretty quick to pick up new technology when they can see it working on-farm and stacking up. Innovators and early adopters will jump in early, but I’d say the majority prefer to see the tools in action first," he says.
“Getting the tools onto farms and sharing those experiences will go a long way toward building the trust and confidence needed to make a real difference across the sector.”
Supporting Farmers Through Transition
McNee says the projects will draw on tools that are already proven, having satisfied all safety, efficacy and regulatory checks — such as the EcoPond effluent pond service or low-methane sheep genetics, as well as new tools that come to market.
“Taking on new technology is a big call for a farmer and change won’t happen overnight but we want to keep the momentum going.
“Many export customers who buy New Zealand’s meat and milk products are increasingly focused on emissions reduction through their supply chain. Mitigating our emissions will help to ensure New Zealand’s high-quality produce remains world-class and a premium choice.
“We’re excited to work alongside farmers and companies across the ag sector who want to help turn proven emissions reduction tools into practical options on farm.”
