The Government is empowering New Zealand’s agricultural sector with greater land use flexibility, enabling innovation and sustainable productivity with a better environmental footprint, Agriculture Minister Todd McClay says.
“Greater land use flexibility results in prosperity through productivity, and enabling that is part of this Government’s commitment to fixing the basics and building the future,” Mr McClay says.
“More than 257,000 Kiwis work in agriculture, a sector that contributes $52 billion in export revenue – supporting regional economies and jobs.
“This National-led Government is committed to backing farmers and growers, including through a suite of sensible regulatory reform and cutting of red tape and costs, combined with the latest science and technology – providing the opportunity for strong returns with a smaller environmental impact.”
Leveraging this, the Government is partnering with industry by investing $3.55 million in a $8.47 million five-year project to boost beef and sheep production, and $18.34 million on a $45.85 million seven-year project to to grow dairy output with improved environmental outcomes.
“Land use flexibility is about backing kiwi farmers and growers to feed the world.”
The dairy project will aim to deliver a 20 per cent reduction in nitrogen leaching per hectare while positioning the sector for sustainable growth and long-term resilience. It will focus on creating an uplift in economic, environmental, and social outcomes by creating replicable models for profitable and environmentally sustainable dairy farming.
The beef and sheep project establishes pilots on existing farms, with key work including modelling land use potential, supporting the adoption of virtual fencing, and analysing environmental and performance data. It is expected to increase hill country pasture utilisation by 20 per cent and feed conversion efficiency by 30 per cent.
“The primary industries are the backbone of this economy and the lifeblood of rural communities. Supporting their success is a priority for this Government.”
