Commercial fruit and vegetable growers in New Zealand are advancing Freshwater Farm Plan compliance through Horticulture New Zealand's Growing Change initiative. Launched in June 2022, the project concludes next month, having promoted Good Agricultural Practice (GAP) via Freshwater Farm Plans (FWFP) across 10 priority regions and developed a freshwater micro-credential for horticulture professionals.
Arjune Dahya, a regional extension officer for Growing Change, noted substantial grower engagement, facilitated by one-on-one advisory support to implement the New Zealand Good Agricultural Practice Environment Management System (NZGAP-EMS) add-on. This preparation aligns with the impending national rollout of the Resource Management (Freshwater Farm Plans) Regulations. "The response has been great. There have been a lot of proactive growers keen to take part," Dahya stated.
Growers received eight hours of funded advisory support over eight months, focusing on NZGAP-EMS and HortNZ's Codes of Practice. The EMS aligns with existing industry assurance programs, reducing duplication and streamlining processes for growers. The initiative also included technical workshops, covering tools like the Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) for vegetable growers and water management for fruit growers.
Targeting regions with higher water risks, Growing Change has active projects in Hawke's Bay, Gisborne, Northland, and the Bay of Plenty. In Northland, HortNZ collaborates with Kaipara Moana Remediation (KMR) to enhance resilience in the kūmara industry. Efforts in the northern Wairoa catchment encourage best management practices, including fencing and native planting. Dahya highlighted the cultural significance of Kaipara Moana, emphasizing the program's role in supporting climate resilience and reducing sediment loss.
Source: Farmers Weekly