Resilience and opportunities
Over the past 18 months, the fruit growing community has been forced to adjust to the new reality that is living with a global pandemic. COVID-19 has prevented and modified the normal food supply chain as we know it - there have been logistical impediments to exports, a lack of seasonal workers, the non-harvesting of crops and challenges in adapting our workforce and operational plans in adhering to social distancing measures - all have affected the costs of production, the returns to orchard owners and the overall economic performance of our industry.
And whilst the pandemic has thrust some serious challenges upon the industry, it has also presented an opportunity for the industry to accelerate transformations in the sector to build its resilience in the face of a range of challenges.
“It’s certainly been a tough season, I don’t think any grower will say otherwise, but as an industry it is an opportunity to learn more about critical chokepoints and vulnerabilities in our food system,” says newly appointed HBFA President, Brydon Nisbet.
“The pandemic has provided growers an opportunity to identity where they need to adapt their business model to avoid the most negative consequences of such an event happening again.
As an industry, we have the opportunity to engage more New Zealander’s to work in our industry, than ever before and to retain long-term employment in a space that has traditionally been viewed as seasonal labour.”
The Association is working actively in this space with sector organisation New Zealand Apples and Pears and other local industry groups to promote job opportunities. The successful Pick the Bay Expo held in October last year opened the doors for many who were seeking a short-term job in horticulture-a considerable number have pursued longerterm employment in the sector. The third Pick the Bay expo is currently being planned for early November.
“Hawke’s Bay has some exceptionally strong mechanisms to help guide and grow individuals pursuing a career in horticulture,” says Nisbet. “We have EIT who offer Certificate’s in Levels 2, 3 and 4 (EIT’s Trainee Programme), Operation Skills Courses and Diploma’s in Fruit Production and Postharvest. Every year course numbers are growing.
The Association (HBFA) has established a very strong future leader framework via the Young Fruit Grower of the Year Competition, to support our young individuals.
Running alongside this, we have a multitude of scholarships available to support future learning in this field and we have the largest pool of corporate and owner-operator horticultural businesses in New Zealand at our back doorstep-why would you want to live, work or study anywhere else?”
Nisbet is excited about the future of horticulture in the Bay. “COVID has thrown a major curve-ball to every business globally. From a regional perspective, it’s been really heartening to see the support from our community during these unprecedented times.
As an industry, it is how we adapt, collaborate and respond which will provide us with the greatest opportunities moving forward.”
For more information on the Hawke’s Bay Fruitgrowers Association, or to sign up to receive their monthly newsletters visit www.hbfa.co.nz