The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) has launched its Five Year Strategy which aims to make cropping the highest returning and most sustainable broadacre land use for New Zealand farmers.
Photo: 123rf
Chief executive Nick Pyke said the strategy built on FAR's strengths as a provider of quality research and on the strengths of New Zealand's cropping industry.
Mr Pyke said to implement the strategy, farmers might need to grow completely different crops in the future.
"New Zealand's temperate climate, quality soils, plentiful water and highly skilled farmers provide us with some key advantages over other food-producing nations," he said.
"Accordingly, FAR's new strategy has been designed to ensure that our research team works alongside the cropping industry, helping it to reach its full potential as New Zealand's most economically and environmentally sustainable farming system," he said.
The strategy has four key pillars: Leading research, Strong collaborations, Excellent communication and Sustainable businesses.
Mr Pyke said cropping farmers were dealing with a number of agronomic, climatic and compliance issues, and FAR's research priorities were constantly being monitored to ensure that these were being taken into account.
