Minister for Primary Industries Nathan Guy has highlighted the potential for Maori agribusiness as part of the Government's goal of doubling primary sector exports by 2025.
The ministry now forecasts the sector will earn $36.5 billion this season - up nearly $5 billion on the last forecast six months ago.
Of the 1.5 million hectares of Maori land, only 300,000 hectares is in full production.
Nathan Guy says the size of the prize in lifting the potential of Maori agribusiness is about $8 billion in terms of exports.
He told a Riddet Institute agricultural summit in Wellington that lifting the performance of Maori land would require some capital, but could create about 3500 jobs in the regions.
