SFF Futures projects: arable
The projects are listed according to their start dates. The latest project is at the top.
Hemp R&D Phase 1
Project start: 1 December 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $202,000
Industry funding: $303,000
Industry partners: NZ Yarn Ltd
Region: South Island
This project will develop innovative, clean and sustainable technology to produce fit-for-purpose hemp fibre. It will enable a totally new industry in New Zealand.
Improving and optimising the grain industry from farm to supply
Project start: 24 August 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $79,400
Industry funding: $131,300
Industry partner: GrainTec Limited
Region: Nationwide
GrainTec will develop and test a low-cost sensor that can remotely measure fill levels of grain silos. The sensor will transmit data about how full the silo is to a digital platform. This will help farmers schedule deliveries more effectively.
Reducing yield variability in process pea crops
Project start: 3 July 2020
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $274,000
Industry funding: $118,000
Industry partner: Horticulture New Zealand (on behalf of the process vegetables sector)
Region: Hawke’s Bay and Canterbury
The New Zealand process pea industry wishes to quantify the differences between pea seedlines available in New Zealand for production. This will help them understand how to achieve yield consistency and how to determine the most economic solutions for growing peas and increasing production.
Optimal timing of fertiliser application, seeding and irrigation
Project start: 29 May 2020
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $24,000
Industry funding: $20,000
Industry partner: RH Innovation Ltd
Region: Nationwide
This project aims to develop an innovative, artificial intelligence-driven solution that calibrates RH Innovation Ltd’s patented soil moisture sensor in real-time. This will remove the guesswork from farmers’ decisions about when to irrigate.
Seed certification information system
Project start: 22 November 2019
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $753,160
Industry funding: $1,232,340
Industry partner: Seed Quality Management Authority
Region: Nationwide
This project is developing a seed certification system to protect and grow New Zealand’s $400 million seed industry. In future, 95 percent of all grass, legumes, vegetable and cereal seed production must be registered in a Seed Certification Information System database to meet international market traceability or isolation requirements.