Farmers ‘looking for new opportunities’

Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Cameron Henderson will be watching the cannabis...
Federated Farmers North Canterbury president Cameron Henderson will be watching the cannabis referendum with interest. PHOTO: FILE
Rural sector diversity is the key to supporting Canterbury’s Covid-19 recovery, North Canterbury Federated Farmers president Cameron Henderson says.

Speaking after a Waimakariri Jobs Summit this month, Mr Henderson said he was thrilled to hear the speakers talking up the contribution of the rural sector in challenging times, with new opportunities such as growing hemp and manuka oil.

"It was really interesting to hear some very positive comments about the importance of agriculture.

"I think farmers are looking for new opportunities. They see a lot of what they are doing at the moment probably does have a limited life and it’s a good business measure to diversify what you are going," he said.

There was much interest among farmers in growing hemp and cannabis and he would be watching this year’s cannabis referendum with interest, Mr Henderson said.

"There’s a lot of interest in it and it grows really well in Canterbury. I think the growing ability’s not the challenge, it’s going to be how much can we sell and who’s going to do it.

"I’m not saying which way I would vote, but as with all agriculture in New Zealand it’s the export market that makes the difference, so regardless of what happens in New Zealand there is a growing market overseas, particularly in medicinal and non-drug products and the fibre content."

Cannabis could complement any farming practice as a rotation crop, whether it was dairy, sheep and beef or arable, Mr Henderson said.

The rural sector was facing challenges as overseas migrant labour was not as readily available, but he was heartened by the interest among skilled New Zealanders looking for a career change.

"There is a lot of apprenticeships and money going into retraining into dairy and beef and lamb to try to get more Kiwis into this space, but it is slow.

"It is internal migration and it is a lifestyle change. You are moving out into an environment you’re not familiar with and you are moving families and you can feel that sense of isolation. But if you talk to people who have done it they say it’s the best thing they’ve ever done."

Most farmers wanted to employ Kiwis if they got the right mix, he said.

"As an employer I want to employ Kiwis first. I want to support my local countrymen and I’m sure most farmers are exactly the same.

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