MPI Hails Kiwifruit Boom as Horticulture Revenue Surges Past $9 Billion
Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) Director General Ray Smith is giving a big shout-out to the horticulture sector, especially kiwifruit.
The 2017/18 funding round for MPI's Sustainable Farming Fund (SFF) opens today.
"We welcome any groups keen to tackle a shared problem or develop a new opportunity related to the primary industries to apply for the fund," says investment programmes director Justine Gilliland.
"SFF supports farmers and researchers involved at grass-roots level and each year we receive a very high calibre of project applications."
A total of up to $7 million is available this funding round to successful applicants for their projects starting from 1 July 2017.
"We encourage anyone who is interested in applying to contact an MPI investment adviser to discuss their ideas as soon as possible."
Applications close on September 8, 2016. Feedback will be given on ideas and draft applications until August 18, 2016 at which point no further assistance can be given.
Over the past 16 years SFF has invested over $125 million in projects benefiting New Zealand's primary industries.
The funding investment by MPI in each project is supplemented by significant cash co-funding and in-kind support by industry, community groups and individuals.
SFF can fund up to 80% of a project.
A solid recovery of global dairy prices this year makes a $9.50/kgMS milk price almost a shoo-in for this season.
As New Zealand marks the United Nations’ International Year of the Woman Farmer 2026 (IYWF 2026), industry leaders are challenging the misconception that women only support farming.
Fonterra’s impending exit from the Australian dairy industry is a major event but the story doesn’t change too much for farmers.
Expect greater collaboration between Massey University’s school of Agriculture and Environment and Ireland’s leading agriculture university, the University College of Dublin (UCD), in the future.
A partnership between Torere Macadamias Ltd and the Riddet Institute aims to unlock value from macadamia nuts while growing the next generation of Māori agribusiness researchers.
A new partnership between Dairy Women’s Network (DWN) and NZAgbiz aims to make evidence-based calf rearing practices accessible to all farm teams.

OPINION: Here w go: the election date is set for November 7 and the politicians are out of the gate…
OPINION: ECan data was released a few days ago showing Canterbury farmers have made “giant strides on environmental performance”.