Federated Farmers has released its election wish-list saying there's an opportunity to at least double the primary sector's $31 billion export contribution over the next 39 years.
It says to do that, farming and the country have to be economically and environmentally sustainable.
Federated Farmers' president Bruce Wills on Wednesday outlined the main points of the organisation's election message in a speech amid the hurly-burly of commuters at Wellington Railway Station.
Ensuring profitable farms was crucial, he said, as it is important to all New Zealanders that agriculture succeeds.
More water storage is needed so rainfall isn't wasted by washing out to sea unused.
The amount spent on research and development should increase from 1.2% of GDP to 3%.
Mr Wills said rural broadband and a good infrastructure of rural roads are needed.
Safe food and effective biosecurity are also key to the country's economic welfare, he said.
Radio New Zealand's rural reporter said few commuters stopped to listen to the Federated Farmers' message.
But chief executive Conor English says the railway station venue was an obvious choice because what happens farms has an impact on the city.
"We could have done it in a cowshed or in a woolshed but actually the people we're trying to talk to are the people in the city."
Green Party reiterates irrigation proposals
The Green Party welcomed the organisation's commitment to environmental sustainability, and the statement in its wish-list that farmers want clean water.
Co-leader Russel Norman says his party's proposal to levy a charge for irrigation water would have a smaller transaction cost than water trading systems.
The Greens would use the money collected from irrigation charges to help farmers and councils with fencing and planting costs to help them clean up waterways.
