Tararuaos participation in New Zealand AgriFood Week:

New Zealand AgriFood Week held from March 16 to 22, is a chance for leaders and innovators in agriculture, science, food and technology to meet to try and solve global food challenges.

Every year AgriFood Week is held in the Manawatu, the epicentre of agriFood innovation in New Zealand, hosted by the Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA). The event has an extensive line-up of events, forums and thought-provoking discussions delving into the opportunities and challenges faced by our food sector.

This year the focus is on New Zealandos reputation in our own backyard and as part of the week-long events, the Tararua District Council will host a Land Diversification Forum on Monday, March 16 at the Masters Hall in Pahiatua, from 10am to 3pm.

The Tararua event is to share information about the Alternative Land Use Report prepared by AgFirst HB Consultants who investigated four crops, feijoas, cider apples, hazelnuts and blueberries, an extension of the Go!Project from the early 2000os which looked at the soil and climate in the Tararua District to see what crops could grow best here.

AgFirst have reassessed the soil and climate information, looked at nutrient leaching mitigation qualities of the crops and their soil management requirements, water use, labour requirements, markets and economics.

AgFirst parties, will present including their citrus, feijoas and kiwifruit. scientists and food processors. information landowners, followed by presentations from Julia Third and Todd Abrahams of Pole to Pole, packers, marketers, and distributors of avocados,

Heather Collins, facilitator and rural social scientist will outline the social impacts of rural land use change and Amos

Palfreyman, Business Development Manager at FoodHQ, will speak on market trends in food and beverages.

The Land Diversification Forum is open to all interested investors, educators,

RSVP by emailing angela.rule@tararuadc.govt.nz