What does MPI fund?

SFF projects contribute to the economic, social and environmental viability of farmers, growers, foresters and their wider rural communities. Projects can include, but are not restricted to:

• Applied research and development;
• Demonstration projects;
• Information, knowledge and technology transfer;
• Technical investigations supporting improved use and allocation of water;
• Identifying barriers to, and options for, improved land use and management;
• Improving decision support;
• Adding value and exploring market opportunities.

Activities and expenditure appropriate for SFF support include, but are not restricted to:

• Research activities;
• Demonstration and extension activities and resources;
• Project management;
• Financial management.

What doesn’t MPI fund?

Projects not appropriate for SFF support include:

• Projects involving unsustainable land management or environmental practices;
• Projects primarily benefiting an individual or single business or farming unit (including the funding of whole farm plans);
• Conservation, mining and wild fisheries;
• Projects from applicants not resident in New Zealand for tax purposes;
• Participation in statutory processes, litigation, or resource inventory work;
• Projects not directly related to New Zealand’s primary industries: eg amenity horticulture.

Activities and expenditure not usually appropriate for SFF support include:

• Activities more appropriately funded by other funding bodies or organisations;
• Long-term on-going costs of an organisation;
• Long-term on-going costs of a trial or project (including breeding trials and variety trials);
• Large capital expenditure;
• Retrospective costs;
• Local or central government fees or charges;
• Commercial product trials or product commercialisation.

How much does MPI contribute?

Up to $200,000 (exclusive GST) per annum

The maximum SFF grant available is $600,000 exclusive of GST (ie $200,000 over three years). SFF may fund up to 80 percent of the project value. However, successful projects are likely to have a higher proportion of partnership cash and in-kind input. The SFF requires a minimum of 20 percent non-governmental contribution towards the total project costs.