What Would Synlait Be Worth to Fonterra or a2 Milk?
Speculation of a possible joint move by Fonterra and a2 Milk to buy Synlait raises a much bigger strategic question, says agribusiness expert Dr Nic Lees.
The year-long projects which are led by researchers from Massey and Lincoln Universities have received combined funding of $611,000.
Spanning a diverse range of research topics and approaches, these projects reflect the highly collaborative intent of the fund, with teams comprising researchers from both universities working alongside industry partners and stakeholders to achieve positive impacts for the primary sector.
The research topics include creating novel 3D printed foods from plant and animal proteins, delivering a resilience and positive mental health programme for students from the rural community, and converting wastewater from legume manufacturing processes into high-value, nutritious ingredients.
Massey University’s Provost Professor Giselle Byrnes says collaborating with Lincoln University strengthens the outputs of the projects.
“Both universities are internationally recognised for our research, teaching and knowledge translation across the broad fields of agriculture, horticulture, agri-technology and biological sciences. The CDR Fund seeks to capitalise on these strengths, by supporting genuine collaborations between the two universities, working alongside industry stakeholders and end users,” Byrnes says.
Professor Travis Glare, Director of Lincoln’s Research Management Office says that the projects offer the potential to deliver a high degree of capability development in a way that will maximise benefits to New Zealand’s primary sector.
“These projects will foster productive collaborations between the two universities and with industry and other relevant stakeholders,” Glare says.
