All eyes on us for Agrifood Week
Our region has a long history in the primary industries, and our agricultural and horticultural footprint... is strong.
New Zealand Agrifood Week begins next week, turning Manawatu¯ into a hive of primary industry activity as farmers and growers, agribusiness professionals and service providers arrive in town for the more than 10 events throughout the week, culminating with the Central Districts Field Days.
New Zealand Agrifood Week, March 12 to 17, is a flagship event for the Central Economic Development Agency and our region, and is now in its third year.
The week blends a fusion of food, agriculture and technology, with a purpose to connect thought leaders and decision-makers from throughout New Zealand and across the agrifood value chain to drive transformation and shape the future of food production.
Manawatu¯ ’s geographical location and landscape is a key ingredient to the week. We are home to more than 2200 scientists, researchers and academics, and commercial and Crown research institutes are based here.
Our region has a long history in the primary industries, and our agricultural and horticultural footprint in the lower North Island is strong. This week provides a platform to showcase and celebrate Manawatu¯ region’s role, capability and leadership in adding value to New Zealand’s primary industries.
The week also plays an important part in the agency’s role of delivering economic growth for Manawatu¯ . Supporting, and in this case delivering, a major event of this scale has a number of benefits, including bringing national and international awareness to the region and promoting what we have to offer when it comes to the food value chain.
The Agtech Hackathon connects smart farmers and growers with IT experts to create on-farm opportunities and solve day-to-day challenges farmers incur.
New agtech companies have been born out of this competition, which is proof that when you connect different perspectives and ways of approaching a situation, anything is possible. And the focus of events like Future Leaders, which will explore attracting new skills and talent to the primary industries, also aligns with one of our core focuses of helping industries to build a sustainable work force.
Each of the 10 events touch upon different elements of different industries. Perspective 2025 is a roundtable discussion between some of the top female industry leaders who’ll be debating creativity’s role in transforming food producers for the future.
For those of you who don’t work in the primary industries, but thoroughly enjoy dining on what’s produced by them, the Plate of Origin competition involves seven of Manawatu¯ ’s finest restaurants, who have paired with restaurants in other regions around the country to showcase some of New Zealand’s finest food offerings.
The Sheep Milk New Zealand Conference is focusing on embracing the potential of the boutique industry, and the two-day Future Farms Conference, now in its fifth year, has a fantastic agenda incorporating innovation and high-value farming.
Providing a forum for an entire value chain – from gate to plate – provides the crucial link from grower to consumer, and a platform from which we can continue to develop the future of agrifood. In all industries there are huge challenges and opportunities, and how we respond to them determines our success as a food producing nation.