Funded in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries, and with practical, on-the-ground support from the sector, the Smart of Sustainable programme is going from strength to strength.
Earlier this month our Orchard Research Review was held in front of a brilliant turn out, with the day's 16 presentations very well-received. It is critical work and comes at a time when the innovation pipeline across New Zealand is shrinking.
Take for instance the closure of Bayer's New Zealand crop protection field research station in Hastings. It is another signal that international companies have lost confidence in New Zealand's approvals process for trials and products, leading to low interest in investing in Aotearoa.
We applaud the steps taken by the Government to address this issue however, it will take time to change. Therefore it is vital that we continue to advocate for research and innovation, the dedicated scientists who conduct it, and the contribution it makes to the future of the sector.
So, it's time to share far and wide about the forward-thinking work being done here in New Zealand to address the future demands of market access. This quarter's edition of R&D Field Notes delves into the world of packhouse hot water drenching; we chat to PFR Senior Scientist Nicolette Niemann, discover more about air optimisation for spraying and share the latest published reports.
As always, enjoy this edition and please let us know what you think!
Dr Rachel Kilmister
R&D Programme Manager
