Today, Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor announced support for digital farm environment plans (dFEP) from the Ministry for Primary Industries’ (MPI) Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures fund (SFF Futures). SFF Futures is contributing $493,500 to the $823,500 research project, led by Trust Alliance New Zealand (TANZ).
Farm Environment Plans are a pivotal tool to identify and take action on environmental risks on-farm, demonstrate progress on environmental objectives and build export value through satisfying global consumer expectations.
The research aims to fast track the delivery of a digital solution for farm environment plans. As a result, farmers and growers will be able to share environmental compliance data through the same toolsets that are used for regular farm management tasks.
As an industry supporter, AgriTechNZ celebrates the work of TANZ and the AgriTechNZ members and their partners helping drive this work: Agrigate, ANZ, Auckland Council, Ballance Agri-Nutrients, Eagle Technology, FarmIQ, Federated Farmers, GS1, MyEnviro and Potatoes NZ.
We welcome this significant step towards a digital future for agriculture in New Zealand.
“Our food and farming systems are faced with both challenges and opportunities in food security, climate and environmental impact. Digital agriculture or ‘smart farming’ represents a set of tools to enhance practices for the benefit of farmers and consumers. Smart farming can help provide foundations to build responsible production and consumer systems across the primary industries, says Brendan O’Connell, CEO, AgriTechNZ.
“ Creating a digital option for FEPs means managing farming decisions and regulatory requirements will be far more efficient. For example, in the same way that farm accounts and tax returns are also streamlined with digital tools, FEPs will benefit from a simplified process.”
“This transition is more than just a technology development, it extends to organisational and management practices. Our sector includes practitioners, innovators and enablers who mobilise new capabilities in data, automation, connectivity and virtual exchange to contribute to smart farming practices. We consider smart farming a strong lever in strengthening sustainable forms of farming and food systems.”
“AgriTechNZ looks forward to working with TANZ and MPI in developing a dFEP proof of concept to integrate data exchange, practice requirements and regulatory commitments with regular farm operations.”
View the Hon Damien O’Connor’s media statement here.
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