Reducing off-target fertiliser application
Project start: 3 May 2022
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $292,500
Industry funding: $195,000
Industry partners: Lincoln Agritech Limited
Region: Canterbury
This project will work with stakeholders to improve fertiliser spreading in New Zealand, and reduce off-target application. It will carry out agronomic research to assess and manage the level of economic loss from poor spreading quality. It aims to provide guidelines to ensure fertiliser spreading meets Spreadmark and Good Practice Management standards.
Hemp optimisation project
Project start: 1 September 2021
Project length: 2 years
MPI funding: $245,568
Industry funding: $407,372
Industry partners: Hemp Connect Limited
Region: Manawatū-Whanganui
This project aims to establish a pilot hemp seed processing plant in New Zealand. The project will research and develop new hemp-based products that utilise processing waste streams.
Media release: MPI backs project to establish internationally competitive hemp seed processing plant
Durum Wheat Flour: A Flavour of the Wairarapa
Project start: 1 April 2021
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $100,000
Industry funding: $51,000
Industry partners: Foundation of Arable Research
Region: Wairarapa
This project will evaluate the potential to increase grower returns and resilience through durum wheat production. This includes identifying opportunities for New Zealand grown durum wheat in the domestic pasta market, evaluation of commercialisation options to maximise grower returns, and development of new durum wheat cultivars.
Media release: Putting a local twist on durum wheat
Hemp database digital tool
Project start: 1 March 2021
Project length: 1 year
MPI funding: $81,000
Industry funding: $54,000
Industry partners: NZ Hemp Industries Association
Region: Nationwide
This project will develop a minimum viable product tool to digitise hemp industry processes. This will include regulatory licence applications, annual returns, and industry data. The digital tool is intended to improve efficiency, traceability, transparency, improve engagement between industry, growers and other stakeholders, and help facilitate hemp industry growth.
Growers Leading Change
Project start: 6 October 2020
Project length: 3 years
MPI funding: $1,169,000
Industry funding: $1,315,000
Industry partner: Foundation for Arable Research
Region: Nationwide
Growers Leading Change will develop an extension framework for the arable industry. This will include setting up a network of facilitated farm discussion groups, trial and demonstration farms, and a mobile learning centre. It will enable arable growers to work with and learn from each other.
Growers choosing to lead change for arable – Foundation for Arable Research (FAR)
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: $1,207,453.40
Industry funding: $1,950,630
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.
