Friday, March 29, 2024

Call for more growers as arable groups kick off

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Arable industry growers leading change are about to get underway with their first arable growth groups.
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Erica Callaghan | March 03, 2021 from GlobalHQ on Vimeo.

Growers Leading Change (GLC) coordinator Erica Callaghan says decisions about the first set of arable growth groups (AGG) funding will be made shortly and at this stage, some of the potential groups can accommodate a few more growers.

Growers in Northland and Manawatu are top of the list.

“We would particularly like to hear from growers in Northland who are interested in arable diversity in their systems, and growers in Manawatu who are keen to learn more about reduced tillage,” Callaghan said.

Growers around the country with arable-based retail business are also invited to join one of the early start-up groups.

Callaghan suggested, for example, growers selling farm-grown quinoa, hemp or flour who would like to join a nationally-based group looking at marketing and business growth.

GLC is led by the Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) and co-funded by the Ministry for Primary Industries Sustainable Food and Fibres Future Fund (SFFF).

Launched in October, the new peer-to-peer knowledge exchange programme aims to lift sustainable farming practices for New Zealand cropping farmers.

The $2.5 million GLC project is a three-year industry programme that will develop an extension framework for the arable industry. 

The programme will help cropping farmers lift sustainable farming practices, while boosting efficiency and profitability in their own businesses.

In practice, it means setting up a network of facilitated farm discussion groups, trial and demonstration farms, and a mobile learning centre to enable the growers to work and learn from each other.

“Arable growers, like other NZ farmers, are facing ever-increasing market, consumer, and regulatory demands,” she said.

“While some growers are well set up to embrace these changes, many others have stalled and aren’t sure where to go or who to trust for advice.”

GLC is designed to deliver information and solve problems identified by growers, as such, it is completely grower driven.

Information delivery will be via the AGG’s member-only local, regional or national discussion groups.

Each group will focus on specific agronomic, environmental or business issues for a period of one to three years.

Field days and technical workshops will be open to all arable levy payers and industry professionals.

A small number of arable farms intent on making a big change to their system or business, will be pathfinder farms receiving research and technical support from FAR and other experts.

The programme will provide a way for growers to identify the key issues that they feel they need support on and encourage growers to share information and ideas with each other.

The GLC programme will also run workshops, field days and other events aimed at upskilling arable farmers and their advisors in a range of agronomic, environmental and financial good management practices.

Anyone interested in finding out more about any of the groups, or if you have an idea for establishing an AGG in your area, check out the FAR website at: www.far.org.nz/growers_leading_change

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