New Zealand needs to up its horticulture game in a climate-changing world

Published 2023년 3월 27일

Tridge summary

New Zealand's government has allocated $3.53 million in funding over four years to support its first commercial vertical farm, Greengrower, located in Hamilton. The facility, which uses only 1% of the water required in outdoor farming and can produce vegetables year-round, is expected to equal the production of a 150ha farm. The government believes vertical farming will complement, not replace, traditional outdoor farming methods and could help mitigate supply and demand price fluctuations. The cost of the project, which includes the government's investment, the $5.3 million already invested by Greengrower, and the potential for reduced transportation emissions and distribution costs, is seen as a necessary investment for New Zealand's sustainable food production future.

Disclaimer:The above summary was generated by Tridge's proprietary AI model for informational purposes.

Original content

The devastation caused by recent cyclones has all too graphically illustrated the need for New Zealand to start seriously considering alternative options for horticulture. The government has made a start by offering $3.53m to support a four-year programme with NZ’s first commercial vertical farm, Greengrower at Waikato’s Innovation Park in Hamilton. Leafy greens, such as lettuce, spinach and herbs, are grown in trays and in tunnels, receiving optimal sunlight, water and humidity to ensure maximum growth rates and efficiency. Plants can reach maturity in half the time of those grown outside. The Hamilton facility uses 1% of the water used in outdoor farming, without the runoff or leaching from an outdoor farming system. The weather gods are taken out of the equation and vegetables, once considered seasonal, can be grown all year round. Agriculture Minister Damien O’Connor insists vertical farming will complement, rather than replace existing outdoor food productions systems. He ...

Source: Farmersweekly