The Summerfruit NZ contracted R&D programme is greatly reduced from previous years, as we review the sector R&D needs and expectations following the industry review.
Apricots for Asia
At this point we have just one contracted project entitled ‘Apricots for Asia’. The focus is on determining the viability of apricot exports with the four leading selections from the Plant & Food Research breeding programme. We are fortunate to have funding support from AGMARDT to help us get more work done. The project will hopefully help define what maturity stage the new varieties should be harvested at to out-turn in best condition. We also want to know how long these varieties will be good for, through the supply chain, and how well they will stand up to fluctuating conditions. With the help of exporters, we’ll be getting consumer feedback so hopefully growers will have some solid information to make decisions with.
Summerfruit Integrated Fruit Production (IFP)
There are two potential bigger and longer duration projects that are currently ‘under negotiation’. These are the Summerfruit IFP Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFFF) project and A Lighter Touch. The main focus of the proposed three-year IFP SFFF project is to help the industry transition away from outdated, disruptive agchemistry to new generation products that will hopefully do a better job without aggravating other pest problems.
The Summerfruit Consultative Group has been helpful. Their view can be summarised as ‘we need the new chemistry and let’s get on with it’. Getting label claim extensions for new sprays is a time consuming and expensive process. We want to ensure that we’re backing the most useful products and that we’re getting as much help from the owners of these products as possible.
A Lighter Touch
We thought that the IFP SFFF project would be a good lead into the seven year A Lighter Touch (ALT) project which is primarily focused on agroecological crop protection and introducing biopesticides. Summerfruit NZ has been involved in this project from the beginning but has not yet signed on the dotted line.
The Ministry for Primary Industries was concerned that there might be duplication between the two projects and have put our SFFF application on hold until this issue is resolved.
We are having robust negotiation with ALT to be clear on what summerfruit specific work ALT can do, and what leverage they can apply to our cause. We are seeking clarity around what a Summerfruit NZ investment in ALT would deliver that is relevant to summerfruit growers.
It is accepted that this whole process is taking time, but these are long duration projects and there are big dollars at stake. Our thinking is that we need to negotiate the best deal for the industry before any contracts are signed. The tough seasons that our growers are facing has only motivated us more to get the best deal we can.
The Summerfruit NZ Board will consider the detailed options in early 2021 and make a call on the direction to take with the pending SFFF and ALT projects.
Summerfruit NZ R&D strategy
In 2021, we also plan to review Summerfruit NZ’s R&D strategy. Following the review, it is timely to reconsider what the industry’s priorities are and how to approach solving our most important issues.