Under the farming enterprise, Manuka Farming New Zealand would provide a full package of services to landowners interested in diversifying their businesses.
High-performance manuka seedlings could have hill country farmers reaping the benefits of what is expected to be a $1.2 billion industry by 2028, Manuka Farming NZ’s commercial manager Allan McPherson said.
Manuka Research Partnership Limited (MRPL) had its sights set on increasing the supply of highly sought after medical-grade manuka honey to significantly lift the value of the industry.
MRPL planned to lift the value of NZ’s manuka honey industry from an estimated $242 million last year towards a target of $1.2b annually by 2028.
The research partnership recently launched its commercial arm, Manuka Farming NZ, to provide the full package of services to landowners interested in establishing a manuka plantation, McPherson said.
Orders were open for the latest high performance seedlings for planting in 2017.
These plants would enable economically viable honey production as early as 2020.
“We had high demand for our first release of seedlings and we’re confident that our second release will also be highly sought after,” he said.
Landowners interested in establishing manuka plantations to help address erosion issues were able to apply for funding through the Ministry for Primary Industries’ Afforestation Grant Scheme (AGS).
Applications open in April 2016 for planting in winter 2017.
McPherson said Manuka Farming NZ was set to quickly become the pre-eminent supplier of genetically improved manuka cultivars that had been extensively field-tested and matched to individual sites.
The company would also provide access to services for land environment planning, site appraisal, planting and husbandry, and be able to introduce landowners to apiarist partners and assist with funding applications.
“Our collective knowledge places us at the forefront of the science and practical knowhow regarding the successful establishment of manuka plantations and integrated apiary requirements.
“It’s important that we provide a full range of services and support for landowners that are interested in this fast-growing industry,” McPherson said.
“MRPL had invested significantly in the science of growing manuka and we have got cultivars that will suit a wide range of climate and environment situations throughout NZ.
“We can match a proven cultivar to the land and environment and we can back that up with a range of support services right through the production cycle.”
More than 1000 hectares of trial sites throughout NZ had been testing a range of manuka varieties with 400ha more closely monitored to gather knowledge of the plants’ performance in different environments.
This included establishment, growth, nectar production and quality, floral traits and apiary performance.
“We are talking with landowners throughout NZ and advising them on the many benefits of planting manuka.
“It’s not just about providing an additional revenue stream but also minimising the risk of erosion and keeping sediment out of waterways. It’s a win-win,” McPherson said.
MRPL chairman Neil Walker said back country land provided the ideal conditions for growing manuka.
“We’re looking at back country land and suggesting to owners to plant proven manuka cultivars backed by really good advice.
“There is a lot of steep and fairly inaccessible land out there that if used for plantation manuka could prevent slips and erosion.
“The poorer producing parts of a hill country farm can actually cost money to farm, and we can change that,” Walker said.
The commercial opportunity for high performance manuka plantations had arisen from the increasing global demand for high quality NZ manuka honey for medicinal applications and culinary uses.
MRPL, formed in 2011, contains a strong shareholding representing primary sector and apiary interests.
NZ exported about 9000 tonnes of honey annually.
The global rise in demand for NZ manuka honey significantly outweighed supply and many exporters were under immense pressure to satisfy the needs of both existing and new customers, Walker said.
The market was expected to grow with the development of increasingly affluent emerging economies.
