When people think about innovation, they generally think of major breakthroughs, new technologies or game-changing discoveries. But in horticulture, some of the most important innovation happens in much smaller doses.
It can be a change to sprayer settings, a better understanding of canopy structure or improved calibration. Or perhaps a more effective approach to pest management.
On their own, these improvements might seem modest. However, together, they have a significant impact on orchard productivity, efficiency and profitability. It is also why industry-led research is still so critical.
The role of research is not just to discover something new. Often, its value lies in understanding how practical gains can be made, challenging assumptions and giving growers the confidence to make incremental improvements that add up over time.
Smart & Sustainable’s recent spray optimisation research is a good example of this. It hasn't reinvented spraying, but it is already making a credible difference to the success of our sector’s spraying programme.
This type of research is not always flashy. In fact, some of the most valuable projects are the ones that focus on the everyday decisions growers make hundreds of times each season.
It may not attract headlines, but it helps ensure New Zealand growers continue to operate as world leaders in apple production and our market access remains secure.
That is where Smart & Sustainable plays such a critical role. The programme provides a framework for identifying industry priorities, investing in applied research and ensuring that new knowledge is translated into practical outcomes on orchard.
Just as importantly, it connects research, extension and growers so that innovation does not remain confined to trial blocks or research reports.
The real value of Smart & Sustainable is that it helps growers capture those small gains season after season. Because innovation is not always about taking giant leaps forward. Often, it is about finding hundreds of small ways to do things better, and making sure those improvements reach the orchard.
Dr Rachel Kilmister
R&D Programme Manager
