Primary exports hit new high
NZ primary exports are set to reach almost $60 million in the year ended 30 June 2025.
Primary Industries Minister Nathan Guy has welcomed the findings of an independent report into the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) by the Office of the Auditor-General.
"I'm pleased with the findings of this report which show the PGP is generally working well and has made improvements from when it was first set up," says Guy.
"The report praises the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) for managing partnerships with industry and notes the good progress being achieved in these innovative R&D programmes.
Guy says that the MPI accepts the recommendations for improvements in how to more clearly communicate progress, including how the PGP works and its achievements, and will be making these adjustments.
"There is already a large amount of public reporting on the progress of PGP schemes with a detailed website, quarterly reports, financial audits, regular newsletters, an annual expo and a presence at Fieldays are some examples."
According to Guy, the PGP has shown the primary sector working collaboratively adding value not just to the primary industries, but also to New Zealand's wider economy.
"These programmes have a major part to play in our goal of doubling the value of primary sector exports by 2025," he says.
"It's pleasing to see continuous improvement and learnings from when the PGP was first set up in 2009."
Federated Farmers president Wayne Langford says the 2025 Fieldays has been one of more positive he has attended.
A fundraiser dinner held in conjunction with Fieldays raised over $300,000 for the Rural Support Trust.
Recent results from its 2024 financial year has seen global farm machinery player John Deere record a significant slump in the profits of its agricultural division over the last year, with a 64% drop in the last quarter of the year, compared to that of 2023.
An agribusiness, helping to turn a long-standing animal welfare and waste issue into a high-value protein stream for the dairy and red meat sector, has picked up a top innovation award at Fieldays.
The Fieldays Innovation Award winners have been announced with Auckland’s Ruminant Biotech taking out the Prototype Award.
Following twelve years of litigation, a conclusion could be in sight of Waikato’s controversial Plan Change 1 (PC1).
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