FoodHQ, a Palmerston North based national network of food-related research, education and commercial organisations, and B.linc, a Lincoln University business unit that aims to facilitate innovation in agriculture, food and technology, will work together to encourage new thinking in food, fibre and agritech across the country.
FoodHQ chief executive Abby Thompson says the collaboration has been on the cards for a while, as New Zealand is too small for the two organisations not to work together.
She says FoodHQ’s strength is its connection to the food value chain, while B.linc’s is more aligned with its on-farm networks.
It makes sense to bring both sides of the farm gate together, Thompson says, rather than view them as separate areas.
NZ players in the food and fibre sectors can learn from overseas examples and work together for the common good rather than trying to compete against their neighbours.
Countries such as Israel and the Netherlands illustrate what can be achieved by organisations cooperating.
“This collaboration will continue to strengthen the ‘whole of value’ chain approach to food that NZ needs to take to ensure our nation’s future success,” Thompson said.
She says farmers should be pleased with the partnership as it will help connect on-farm innovations with off-farm ones, including better understanding of consumers.
B.linc’s managing director Wim de Koning says working together will provide greater support for primary-focused innovators in NZ from the conception of ideas and of collaborative thinking all the way through to execution.
“It is a natural fit for us and through working together in separate parts of the country, we can provide further-reaching support,” he said.
He says the divide between pre and post farm gate has disappeared and the emphasis has shifted towards transparent added value.
“The land-based university sector in NZ is internationally recognised and highly regarded,” he said.
“The ability for both B.linc Innovation and FoodHQ to tap into both Lincoln University and Massey University further strengthens the ability to facilitate collaboration between the primary sector.”
De Koning says the challenges and opportunities facing the primary sector are complex and affect the whole value chain from the farmer and grower to the consumer, so there’s a real need to collaborate for the future and create provenance and added value rather than compete.
