Following a week of announcements on emissions reduction plans and budget allocations, the role of agritech is front and centre for New Zealand. Funding for the Agritech Industry Transformation Plan continues with an additional $5 million investment.
The Emissions Reduction Plan also included a $340 million commitment for the Centre of Climate Action – creating pathways for leading climate research and agritech solutions to be supported in farm adoption. We have also been consulting with the He Waka Eke Noa partners (a primary sector leadership group making recommendations to the Government on the approach to agricultural emissions pricing) on possible methods to support the changes for reporting on farm emissions. The common thread between these initiatives is the need and opportunity to strengthen the foundations of digital agriculture in New Zealand. All strong strategies combine both local and global objectives – developing these digital agriculture capabilities in New Zealand equips our agritech sector with technical, cultural and social advantages to have even greater impact when their relevance and knowledge is applied globally. We can both strengthen our primary core and create new options for weightless exports and global impact.
Next month our Executive Council will further cement our strategy with a day of focussed planning. Following this, I am looking forward to joining our dinner with the Hon Stuart Nash, Minister for Economic and Regional Development. This is a special opportunity to engage directly with the Minister and officials to highlight the importance of agritech in supporting New Zealand’s economic growth. We will also share insights from our latest research and showcase key initiatives promoting New Zealand agritech.
Meanwhile, here’s my round up of everything about agritech this month!
Climate funding announcement
New Zealand’s agritech companies are helping meet the country’s climate commitments and their innovations are valued internationally which will drive agritech export growth and create future proof jobs for Kiwis.
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Auckland pre-2035 Oceania Summit coming soon!
Ahead of the Summit, join industry leaders, agritech companies, farmers and growers, regulators and policy makers to discuss agrifood tech innovation. Join us on 31 May in Auckland.
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Digital trends transforming agriculture
The Digital Agrifood Summit 2022 takes a practical look at the digital trends and technologies transformation agriculture. Explore the Emerging Carbon Economy on 1-2 June.
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Uptake of tech in the primary sector
Last week, during Techweek22, I joined our digital adoption project team – Tim Cutfield and Bridgit Hawkins on TechweekTV to discuss our research findings. This is now available for on-demand viewing.
View here >
Ready for the challenge to build your business?
If you’re a company, entrepreneur or scientist with an idea for a scalable business the Sprout Agritech Accelerator is for you. Applications for the next cohort close on 4 June.
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Celebrating our agritech exporters
Entries are now open for the New Zealand International Business Awards 2022. Agritech was well represented in Bluelab’s win last year, will it be you this year? Applications close 4 July and winners will be announced at a gala dinner on 27 October.
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Informing the future of food, agriculture and tech
Join the next Global Signals workshop with Melissa Clark-Reynolds on 9 June in Auckland. You will receive practical tools to help you identify trends before they unfold. Plus, learn how to link strategy and foresight.
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Attending HortConnections 2022 in Brisbane?
Callaghan Innovation and New Zealand Trade and Enterprise are delighted to invite New Zealand businesses attending Hort Connections 2022 in Brisbane to a networking morning tea. Join us to connect with other New Zealand businesses and researchers in the horticulture sector who are in Brisbane for the conference.
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Discover AI for the environment
Also during Techweek22, the AI Forum launched their new research report, AI for the Environment in Aotearoa New Zealand.
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Nominations close next week!
Ahead of our Annual Meeting, we’re seeking nominations for our Executive Council. Nominations close on 31 May. We are making excellent progress for our sector and require continued energy and insights from you, our members. Please consider putting forward the best and brightest we’ve got!
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Ngā manaakitanga me kei runga noa atu
Go well and onwards and upwards