Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures projects
Find out about Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) projects that have been funded so far.
Best Practice Plantation Forestry Sedimentation Controls
- Project start date:
- Project length: 7 years
- MPI funding: $1,350,000
- Co-investment funding: $1,350,000
- Sectors: Forestry
- Sub-sectors: Commercial forestry
- Project partners: OneFortyOne
- Regions: Nelson, Tasman
This project is establishing and executing a plantation forest paired catchment study to assess the performance of innovative erosion and sediment controls. It will quantify how much sediment can be prevented from leaving a plantation forest harvesting site, the ecological effects of reducing sediment generation and delivery, and the operating costs of implementing new standards and practices. Findings will be shared widely.
Beyond Carbon Zero
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $707,360
- Co-investment funding: $1,061,041
- Sectors: Agritech, Horticulture
- Project partners: Hot Lime Labs Limited
- Regions: Bay of Plenty, Waikato
The project seeks to demonstrate the technical and commercial viability of utilising greenhouse waste and other green waste to create heat and renewable CO2 for greenhouses as well as producing, using, and burying char. This process will create a circular ecosystem that turns hi-tech greenhouses into carbon negative hubs.
Biocontrol of horehound
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $99,000
- Co-investment funding: $61,000
- Sectors: Biosecurity
- Sub-sectors: Biocontrol
- Project partners: Manaaki Whenua - Landcare Research New Zealand Ltd
- Regions: Nationwide
Horehound is a major weed problem in dryland pasture, especially for lucerne crops. This project builds on a previous Sustainable Farming Fund research project, which introduced the horehound plume moth, Wheeleria spilodactylus, and released it at eight South Island locations. This moth acts as a biocontrol agent on horehound weeds. The moth failed to establish and will now be re-released at new sites using a different approach.
Biocontrol of variegated thistle: a feasibility study
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $54,375
- Co-investment funding: $43,500
- Sectors: Biosecurity, Meat
- Sub-sectors: Biocontrol
- Project partners: AgResearch, Horizons Regional Council, Hawkes Bay Regional Council, Gisborne District Council, Bayly Partnership, Tangihau, Pakihiroa Farms Ltd, Pauariki, Integrated Foods, Puketiti, Arai Matawai, Tairāwhiti Land Development Trust, Toromiro
- Regions: Gisborne, Hawke's Bay, Manawatū-Whanganui
This study assessed the potential for biological control of Silybum marianum (variegated thistle) in New Zealand. It conducted a field survey to determine the extent that current thistle biocontrol agents attack variegated thistle and a literature search to determine known potential biocontrol agents. The researchers also developed a population model to help determine which biocontrol agents would be most effective in New Zealand, and consulted with the herbalist community on their views on the importation of biocontrol agents. The study recommended establishing a multi-year, practical project to assess the efficacy of a range of biocontrol agents.
Biodegradable bio-based plastic nursery containers
- Project start date:
- Project length: 1 year
- MPI funding: $98,600
- Co-investment funding: $146,400
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Floriculture
- Project partners: Wilson and Ross Ltd
- Regions: Nationwide
This project builds on a previous SFF Futures project to develop a viable biodegradable option to fossil-based plastic nursery containers. It will include a life cycle analysis of the prototype PolBionix containers, refining the moulds, and working through Intellectual Property requirements.
Biodegradable plastic pots incorporating NZ ingredients
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $35,000
- Co-investment funding: $53,000
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Project partners: Pinehurst Associates Ltd
- Regions: Auckland
This project successfully developed and manufactured a proof of concept for biodegradable plastic pots that will last 12 months above ground before biodegrading. This would be an alternative for the high impact pots used in nurseries and garden centres.
Biodiversity for beneficial insects; delivering benefits to farmers from designed native plantings
- Project start date:
- Project length: 5 years
- MPI funding: $2,209,030
- Co-investment funding: $1,002,420
- Sectors: Arable, Regenerative agriculture
- Sub-sectors: Other arable products
- Project partners: Plant & Food Research, Foundation of Arable Research, Synlait, Southern Pastures, Pāmu Landcorp, Beef + Lamb NZ, Brailsfords Ltd, Selwyn District Council and Ecan, some retired arable farmers
- Regions: Canterbury
This project will research the optimal mix of plant species, planting areas, and planting landscapes to maximise the number of insects providing pollination and predation behaviour without creating refuges for insect pests. It aims to produce guidance for farmers on how to design native plantings on their farms to target insects that will be both environmentally and economically beneficial.
Regenerative agriculture research receives Government boost - Beehive.govt.nz
Biological control of giant willow aphid
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $326,315
- Co-investment funding: $142,736
- Sectors: Forestry
- Sub-sectors: Biosecurity, Other forestry products/research
- Project partners: Scion
- Regions: Nationwide
The project trial found that the introduced parasitoid wasp appears to be an effective biological control agent for giant willow aphid, and able to proliferate and spread up to 100km from release locations. At the earliest release sites, monitored for two subsequent years, aphid abundance decreased each year, and the proportion of aphid-free trees increased.
Tiny parasitoid wasp packs a big punch in fight against giant willow aphid – MPI media release
Botrytis disease management in tunnel house blueberries
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $87,500
- Co-investment funding: $175,000
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Berry fruit
- Project partners: Berryco NZ Limited, Blueberry Growers group
- Regions: Bay of Plenty
This project seeks to obtain data on disease development, model key environmental factors and undertake trials on a range of management practices to develop a strategy for control of botrytis in tunnel house blueberries. The outcomes will be developed into a management strategy and shared to the industry through a series of field days and workshops.
Branching Out Phase 2: Practical implementation of food and fibre value chain diversification
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $975,000
- Co-investment funding: $1,200,815
- Sectors: Arable, Horticulture, Natural fibres, Sector resilience
- Project partners: Venture Taranaki Trust
- Regions: Taranaki
This project follows on from Branching Out Phase 1 and will work in 6 sectors to confirm that diversification in food and fibre value chains is possible and practical. It will undertake growing trials on farms/orchards, pilot product prototypes, and provide case studies as well as practical tools for implementation. The 6 sectors include hemp fibre, medicinal ingredients, indigenous ingredients, hops, gin botanicals, and high value food crops.
Branching Out – diversifying land use and adding to Taranaki’s food and fibre value chains
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $594,800
- Co-investment funding: $319,000
- Sectors: Horticulture, Sector resilience
- Sub-sectors: Other fruit/fruit products, Other vegetables/vegetable products
- Project partners: Venture Taranaki
- Regions: Taranaki
‘Branching Out’ aimed to diversify food and fibre value chains to generate better economic, social and environmental outcomes for Taranaki. Phase 1 identified a number of feasible sectors with potential to add diversification value. SFF Futures is now supporting Phase 2 of this project, which will work in 6 sectors and apply the information practically, to prove that diversification is possible.
New programme to boost high-value products in Taranaki – Government media release
Breeding for thermotolerant King salmon in Aotearoa
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $249,500
- Co-investment funding: $383,700
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Land-based - finfish
- Project partners: The New Zealand King Salmon Co Limited
- Regions: Marlborough, Nelson
This project aims to develop and test the methodology to allow the targeted breeding of King salmon in elevated water temperatures.
Brown seaweed for a blue economy
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $325,600
- Co-investment funding: $488,400
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Aquatic plants (algae and seaweed)
- Project partners: Waikaitu Ltd
- Regions: Marlborough
This project aimed to transform New Zealand Undaria seaweed, Undaria pinnatifida, from a costly mussel-industry pest to a sustainable, high value global market resource. A pilot plant was established and a feasibility study was conducted, which concluded that this is a feasible industry for future development and growth.
Building a resilient future for New Zealand oyster aquaculture
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $45,000
- Co-investment funding: $15,000
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic, Sector resilience
- Project partners: Aquaculture NZ
- Regions: Northland
The resilience of the oyster industry is challenged by the seasonal supply of spat (juvenile oysters). This project developed a business case to establish a commercial-scale oyster hatchery and nursery that would provide a strong foundation for sustainable growth of the oyster industry in New Zealand.
Building soil health on vineyards
- Project start date:
- Project length: 1 year
- MPI funding: $151,480
- Co-investment funding: $228,030
- Sectors: Horticulture, Regenerative agriculture
- Sub-sectors: Viticulture
- Project partners: New Zealand Winegrowers Research Centre Limited
- Regions: Marlborough
This project aims to provide grape growers with practical information for managing soil health. Through an interactive resource, growers will be able to identify practices that are best suited to their location and their specific soil challenges. Initially, this is a pilot project based in Marlborough. It will help enhance soil quality, leading to improved vineyard sustainability and grape quality.
Can we build a kānuka industry based on chemotypes?
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $68,200
- Co-investment funding: $111,500
- Sectors: Forestry, Māori agribusiness
- Project partners: ikurangi Bioactives Limited Partnership
- Regions: Nationwide
This project has enabled the participants to imagine what a kānuka industry could (and should) look like. It created several key resources and part of the infrastructure that the industry will need to be successful. The project recognised that kānuka is a taonga species, and that Māori must have a special relationship to, and position within, the industry because of their kaitiaki responsibilities to kānuka.
Carbon Positive – Regenerating soil carbon in soils used for intensive field cropping
- Project start date:
- Project length: 6 years
- MPI funding: $2,118,857
- Co-investment funding: $902,000
- Sectors: Horticulture, Regenerative agriculture
- Sub-sectors: Onions, Other vegetables/vegetable products, Peas, Squash, Sweetcorn
- Project partners: Hawke's Bay Future Farming Charitable Trust, Kraft Heinz Watties NZ, McCain Foods, BASF, Hawke’s Bay Vegetable Growers Group, Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, LandWISE, Hills Laboratories
- Regions: Hawke's Bay
The project will assess the economic and environmental impacts of adopting regenerative farming within a typical New Zealand cropping system, in particular studying the effects in degraded soils. It will take place on an established demonstration cropping farm in the Heretaunga Plains run by LandWlSE. The demonstration cropping farm will be split into replicate plots and three different management systems will be tested: fully conventional; fully regenerative; and a hybrid system.
Cedenco trade waste disinfection
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $53,839
- Co-investment funding: $103,647
- Sectors: Agritech, Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Other fruit/fruit products, Other vegetables/vegetable products
- Project partners: Cedenco Foods New Zealand Limited
- Regions: Gisborne
The project explored the most sustainable treatment method to treat wastewater being discharged from the Cedenco vegetable processing factory in Gisborne. Work undertaken included assessing the environmental effects on a wetland, examining opportunities for water re-use, and ensuring the methods adopted met compliance requirements and could be incorporated into the processing system.
Chatham Island apiculture business
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $61,852
- Co-investment funding: $52,000
- Sectors: Apiculture
- Sub-sectors: Monofloral, Multifloral
- Project partners: Go Wild Limited
- Regions: Chatham Islands
This project will survey the composition and potential bioactivity of mono and multifloral honeys from Rēkohu/Wharekauri (Chatham Islands). Research into the properties of locally grown honey will potentially enable unique products to be developed.
Chatham's oyster farming: In-water trials
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $201,000
- Co-investment funding: $77,500
- Sectors: Māori agribusiness, Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Farmed - marine shellfish
- Project partners: Abalone Resources Limited
- Regions: Chatham Islands
A feasibility study funded through the Provincial Growth Fund highlighted the potential for developing a successful dredge oyster farm in the Chatham Islands. This project will test the commercial viability, on a pilot scale, of an oyster fishery. It will determine the most effective spawning/hatchery model and trial various oyster farming technologies.