The Foundation for Arable Research has given the go-ahead for seven new projects which aim to provide benefits for the arable industry.
Chief executive Nick Pyke says the industry in New Zealand is a world leader and it's vital that research continues in areas which will have the greatest positive impact.
He says the foundation will have a direct hand in a project which will investigate what the potential is on arable farms for faba beans as a high-quality animal feed.
Trials in Canterbury and Manawatu have produced good yields of up to 8.5 tonnes per hectare, Mr Pyke says, and chickens fed on the beans have performed well.
Faba beans are a legume similar to broad beans but slightly smaller. Australia grows and exports them to the Middle East for human consumption.
