People with marginal land will hear about sustainable land use options, technical advice and funding options to get them started.
Identified as an under-used resource in Accelerate25’s Manawatu-Whanganui Economic Action Plan, manuka honey provides landowners with a profitable, sustainable and resilient opportunity for their class 6 and 7 hill country, Horizons Regional Council environmental management land adviser Sarah Nicholson said.
It was estimated there were 100,000 hectares of land in the region suited to manuka planting and harvesting for honey production.
“Manuka afforestation is a viable option for landowners with erodible land that is unsuitable for traditional timber forestry due to terrain and harvesting access,” Nicholson said.
“Non-regulatory initiatives, such as Horizons’ Sustainable Land Use Initiative (SLUI), assist landowners with whole farm plans, soil mapping and pole planting.
“Manuka afforestation is an extension of this work.
“In addition to protecting vulnerable land from erosion and improving water quality it can provide the landowner with potential returns.”
At the open day Nicholson will share technical advice and discuss site selection as well as subsidies and grants available to marginal land owners wishing to explore options.
Stu Orme from Woodnet will also be on hand to discuss the economics of planting manuka, the Emissions Trading Scheme, different types of manuka and other land use options.
The Parkes have already used an Afforestation Grant from Ministry for Primary Industries on their property. They will discuss their experience, what has worked for them and what they plan to do next.
Their farm will be open from 1pm–4.30pm with the event being held at Larson’s Yards, 3.5km up Waitewhena Road from the Ohura Road turn off.
