22 Mar 2012

Agribusiness development proposed for Canterbury

9:28 am on 22 March 2012

An agribusiness development has been proposed for mid-Canterbury to help the development of new farming technologies.

The $30 million innovation park would be built just outside Ashburton.

The development is a joint venture between Eden AgriCapital, the Ashburton District Council, and economic development organisation Grow Mid Canterbury.

Grow Mid Canterbury chief executive Rob Brawley says the park would benefit both the agribusiness and farming sectors.

He says the technology and systems that come out of the agribusiness innovation park will also in many cases have applications in Canterbury and more broadly in New Zealand.

Mr Brawley says the development is seeking investment and resource consent, with the aim of beginning building within six months.

The first agribusiness innovation park was established in Waikato 10 years ago.