Feds make case for rural bank lending probe
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
Federated Farmers believes the investment of $3.4 million into the Hurunui Water Project by Crown Irrigation Investments will ensure the future resilience of North Canterbury.
"The announcement of the investment is welcome news for our community, which has been decimated by the most prolonged drought in New Zealand recorded history," Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Lynda Murchison says.
Those worried about whether irrigation in the Hurunui will have adverse effects on water quality can be reassured.
"The scheme has tight environmental controls and most farmers in the Hurunui are not looking to irrigation to enable land conversions.
"Farmers instead are looking for it to help support their current land uses with access to water to reduce their vulnerability to drought.
"It will also provide opportunities to improve in-stream habitat by boosting low flows when appropriate," she says.
Funding will be allocated in two phases, with $1.8m being applied to the feasibility phase and a further $1.6m will be available for the project commitment phase when the project is proven to be commercially viable.
"It’s great to see Crown Irrigation Investment delving into the national irrigation fund to back a province," Federated Farmers water spokesperson Chris Allen says.
"We know that investment into rural provinces has flow on effects to the national economy and so this is money well spent."
It’s anticipated the scheme will irrigate up to 21,000 hectares on the south side of the Hurunui River in North Canterbury. The scheme will take and store water from the Hurunui and Waitohi rivers using a pressurised piped distribution system.
South Waikato farm manager Ben Purua’s amazing transformation from gang life to milking cows was rewarded with the Ahuwhenua Young Maori Farmer award last night.
Bankers have been making record profits in the last few years, but those aren’t the only records they’ve been breaking, says Federated Farmers vice president Richard McIntyre.
The 2023-24 season has been a roller coaster ride for Waikato dairy farmers, according to Federated Farmers dairy section chair, Mathew Zonderop.
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) director general Ray Smith says job cuts announced this morning will not impact the way the Ministry is organised or merge business units.
Scales Corporation is acquiring a number of orchard assets from Bostock Group.
Family and solidarity shone through at the 75 years of Ferdon sale in Otorohanga last month.