Ballance Agri-Nutrients has launched a $32 million programme aimed at transforming traditional fertiliser use and providing more affordable solutions to farmers.
Ballance's research programme has secured $9.75 million in funding, announced by the Government's Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) yesterday.
The farmer co-operative will match that funding dollar for dollar over the next seven years in addition to its normal planned investment in research and development of $12.5 million during that period.
The scale of the co-operative's investment was a measure of its confidence in the programme's potential in lifting profitably production while reducing the effects on the environment, Ballance chief executive Larry Bilodeau said in a statement.
"Up to 60% of New Zealand's primary production depends on the continued use of fertiliser.
Fertiliser has enabled the intensification of our farm systems in New Zealand, and environmental pressure is building.
"By reducing reliance on traditional fertilisers and targeting the nutrient losses which have environmental impacts, we are safeguarding the pastoral sector's productive future.
"By 2025 we envisage a pastoral sector operating with a lower chemical load thanks to new biological forms of pest control and we will see both yield and economic gains. Nutrient efficiency will be much higher and there will be a reduced impact on our waterways," he said.
The programme will focus on two areas product improvement and development and education programmes for farmers to encourage rapid adoption of new technologies.
It focused on bettering the productivity of New Zealand farmers and reducing environmental footprints, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry director-general Wayne McNee.
"The significant impact of reducing run-off of nutrients into waterways will enhance the sustainability of our farming systems and our reputation.
"Information sharing, particularly around nutrient management, between this programme and other PGP initiatives will greatly enhance the benefits of each programme," Mr McNee said.
Agriculture Minister David Carter welcomed the announcement of another successful PGP bid, which lifted the total funding awarded to nearly $500 million.
There were now nine PGP programmes under way, covering sectors from wool, red meat and dairy to aquaculture, manuka honey and forestry. The Government-industry investment in the programmes was what PGP was about - a joint commitment to boosting economic growth through research and innovation, Mr Carter said.
