Friday, March 29, 2024

Hort leaders learn from Europe

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A group of rural executives from New Zealand has just finished a two-week horticultural mission to west Europe.
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The NZ Executive International Horticultural Immersion Programme was run by NZ Apples and Pears and Massey University to give rural executives a comparative immersion in international markets, horticultural value chains and associated innovation systems.

Apples and Pears capability development manager and programme founder Erin Simpson said “We tried to encourage the future horticultural leaders to go outside their comfort zone and try something new.

“They are not always in a position, either due to cost or a focus on local markets, to gain overseas exposure so we partner with industry funders such as Agmardt.”

The pilot programme followed a similar initiative in Europe and Asia last year attended by Massey and Lincoln University students and recent graduates working in the industry. 

The delegation included growers, government staff, scientists and researchers from Zespri, Plant and Food Research, the Primary Industries Ministry, T&G Global, Primary ITO, Horticulture NZ, Young Farmers, Kiwifruit Growers Inc, Seeka, Massey University and NZ Apples and Pears. 

“The participants were from across industry and possessed high leadership potential to individually and collectively drive collaborative innovation, capacity-building and transformational change across the horticultural sector and provide recommendations to NZ industry and Government,” Simpson said.

The trip also gave companies and agencies the chance to showcase their abilities and technology.

“During the trip there was a lot of talk about collaboration between Europe and NZ,” he said.

“There is potential for us and Europe to work more closely in the future, which is very exciting.” 

The delegation made stops in Netherlands, Belgium and Germany.

In the Netherlands the group visited organisations like WorldHortiCentre, Wageningen University and Research, Foodvalley and Unilever’s innovation centre, Hive.

It also learned about automated greenhouse horticulture, including a visit to large-scale greenhouse business park Agriport, which is driving geothermal development.

“There were discussions on Brexit and what it could mean for NZ’s primary industries and a lot of positive talk about the outlook for horticulture in NZ.”

The trip ended at the world’s leading fresh produce exhibition, the Berlin Fruit Logistica.

“We got the group to spend a good couple of days at Berlin Fruit Logistica to be fully immersed in the German value chain,” Simpson said.

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