Tuesday, 24 March 2020 09:17

COVID-19: We’ve got this!

Written by  David Anderson, Rural News Editor 
Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the country will be going into a nation-wide Level 4 lockdown from Wednesday 11:59pm. Agriculture will still be able to operate as it is an essential service. Yesterday, Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern announced that the country will be going into a nation-wide Level 4 lockdown from Wednesday 11:59pm. Agriculture will still be able to operate as it is an essential service.

OPINION: Amidst the coronavirus upheaval, one thing is certain – agriculture will see the NZ economy through.

The world still needs to eat and trade channels remain open. The bedrock of country’s economy is still agriculture and our main export is of course food.

Farms and orchards will carry on, and with our biggest market China turning a corner with its COVID-19 situation, demand for our produce will remain strong. The fundamentals of food supply and demand remain strong.

To get us through, farmers will need our support. They’ll need good, trustworthy information. 

They’ll need the usual inputs from the service and supply parts of the industry. 

They’ll need some breathing space from political moves that might restrict their ability to operate efficiently.

Rural News is a trusted source of information for farmers and we will help keep our farming and rural communities connected. With rural events banned for the foreseeable future, the role we play in keeping the sector connected and informed is more vital than ever.

In the parlance of these somewhat unsure times, you can be assured that Rural News will keep calm and carry on.

More like this

Every exhibitor with something valuable to offer for farmers

OPINION: Welcome to the second annual NZ Dairy Expo at Matamata – an event created to bring together the best of the New Zealand dairy industry in a focused, grassroots environment where dairy farmers and rural professionals can meet, talk, compare products, and make smart decisions for their farms.

Locally grown fruits, veg in full supply

One of the country’s two largest supermarket chains is reporting that for the first time since the disruption of Covid, they have largely full supply on almost all fruit and vegetables grown locally.

Global shipping rates soar again

Covid-19 took global shipping rates to mind boggling highs, but over the subsequent 12-15 months they returned to more sustainable levels. Fast forward to July 2024 and rates have nearly doubled over three months.

HortNZ helps growers rebuild, recover

Horticulture New Zealand (HortNZ) chief executive Nadine Tunley says the industry-good body’s support for growers has proven to be multifaceted.

Featured

Case IH partners with Meet the Need

Tractor manufacturer and distributor Case IH has announced a new partnership with Meet the Need, the grassroots, farmer-led charity working to tackle food insecurity across New Zealand one meal at a time.

25 years on - where are they now?

To celebrate 25 years of the Hugh Williams Memorial Scholarship, Ravensdown caught up with past recipients to see where their careers have taken them, and what the future holds for the industry.

Rockit Global appoints COO

Rockit Global has appointed Ivan Angland as its new chief operating officer as it continues its growth strategy into 2025.

National

Machinery & Products

Iconic TPW Woolpress turns 50!

The company behind the iconic TPW Woolpress, which fundamentally changed the way wool is baled in Australia and New Zealand,…

» Latest Print Issues Online

The Hound

Keep it up

OPINION: The good fight against "banking wokery" continues with a draft bill to scrap the red tape forcing banks and…

We're OK!

OPINION: Despite the volatility created by the shoot-from-the-hip trade tariff 'stratefy' being deployed by the new state tenants in the…

» Connect with Rural News

» eNewsletter

Subscribe to our weekly newsletter