The Institute of Agricultural and Horticultural Science says the Government's new focus on science and technology at the tertiary level is long overdue.
The Government is asking universities and polytechnics to increase their enrolments in science, technology, engineering and maths.
It is to increase funding for those subjects in the Budget this month.
Institute president Jon Hickford says that's positive for the rural sector.
He says the country has been underspending on science and technology in the tertiary sector for many years and the fault is implicit in the tertiary funding system.
Professor Hickford says science subjects are costly but necessary if the country is to generate new economic growth.
He says the greater focus on science should be extended to the primary and secondary education sectors.
