“We’re already on the transformation journey but the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) sector-wide roadmap – Fit for a Better World, says there is opportunity to accelerate this further,” Petersen said.
“It is our (FFPG) role to coordinate transformation efforts across the food and fibre sector to improve sustainability and wellbeing, boost productivity and profitability and lift product value.”
The goal being to add an extra $44 billion to export earnings by 2030, while employing 10,000 more people into the primary sector workforce over the next four years.
“These are ambitious goals that can only be achieved via a focus on sustainable themes creating value off the strong position of core sectors,” he said.
“The food and fibre sector is driving NZ’s economic recovery and that road to recovery is an option to build a better economy, starting now.
“No one is interested in just a talkfest; my role is to ensure we are connected to complement sector work to get action, get work done and see results,” he said.
The FFPG is a strategic group established to implement the Primary Sector Council’s Vision and Strategic Direction for the food and fibre sector.
The group shares responsibility for implementing key elements from the Government’s Fit for Better World – Accelerating our Economic Potential Roadmap.
The FFPG membership includes chairs and chief executives from across the primary production sector, agribusiness leaders and government agency chief executives, to ensure it reflects the views and interests of the wider sector and recognises the importance of moving forward together.
Petersen noted upfront that as independent chair he does nor represent any one sector.
He says as a partnership, the FFPG will reflect the principles of the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and this will play a significant role in helping to realise the potential of the Maori community and its contribution to the sector.
“Underpinning our work is realising the potential of the Maori economy and its contribution to the sector,” he said.
“The group’s membership recognises the importance of moving forward together.”
Petersen says the 22 actions in the Fit for a Better World roadmap are not the only ones required to build NZ back better.
The roadmap identifies actions within the food and fibre sector to achieve ambitious targets for a more productive, sustainable and inclusive economy.
“There will be both new and existing initiatives that aren’t listed but will still make an important contribution towards delivering a more productive, sustainable and inclusive economy,” he said.
FFPG is currently developing its work plan based on priority areas, aligned to sector strategies.
These include innovation, science, and research and development; labour, skills, and education; investment and capital availability; environment, climate and water; trade, market access, consumer insights and customer engagement; and protection, including biosecurity.
Many of these priority areas require a greater focus on science and innovation.
“We have met with the chief executives of NZ Crown Research Institutes and the Cawthron Institute about the role science, innovation and knowledge plays in supporting transformation in our food and fibre sector,” he said.
“Following this engagement, we are identifying common research, science and innovation priorities across government, industry, science providers and Maori.
“This will form the basis of a science accelerator plan to help deliver the roadmap, while connecting resources and minimising duplication of effort,” he said.
Petersen acknowledged the food and fibre sector has already made huge ground in a range of areas, such as growing product value and growing and farming more sustainably.
“The FFPG is committed towards helping to drive these efforts,” he said.
He is keen to hear from sector leadership teams and welcomes anyone wanting to engage with the work FFPG is doing to email FFPG@mpi.govt.nz
Food and Fibre Partnership Group (FFPG) members include:
Farmer – independent chair Mike Petersen; MPI director-general Ray Smith; MBIE chief executive Carolyn Tremain; Ministry for Environment chief executive Vicky Roberston; NZ Trade and Enterprise chief executive Peter Chrisp; Tainui Federation of Maori Authorities chair Traci Houpapa; Wakatu Incorporation director Miriana Stephens; Forestry Owners’ Association chief executive David Rhodes; B+LNZ chair Andrew Morrison; HortNZ chair Barry O’Neil; DairyNZ chair Jim van der Poel; SeafoodNZ chair Craig Ellison; and NZ Winegrowers chief executive Philip Gregan.
