New FAR strategy to strengthen New Zealand's arable future.
The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) has launched its new five-year strategy, setting a clear direction for supporting a confident, resilient and profitable arable sector that produces trusted foods, feeds and seeds for New Zealand and global markets.
The strategy, which will guide FAR from 2026 to 2031, reflects the organisation's commitment to connecting growers, science and industry to support successful arable farms and a valued arable sector.
Built around four strategic goals, it focuses on delivering greater value to growers through trusted research and innovation, impactful extension, the promotion of the arable industry’s role in New Zealand, and an efficient, grower-focused organisation.
FAR’s Chair Steven Bierema said the strategy was designed to ensure that growers receive practical, independent support in an increasingly complex and interconnected arable sector.
"New Zealand's arable growers are facing both significant challenges and exciting opportunities. Our new strategy sets out how FAR will connect growers with the science, information and industry partnerships they need to make confident decisions and build resilient businesses," Mr Bierema said.
Under the strategy, FAR will focus on four key goals:
Extension with impact
FAR will deliver value to arable growers by providing trusted and timely information, delivering research results promptly, translating science to support practical on-farm decisions, and continuing to evolve extension approaches to meet growers' needs.
Trusted research, development and innovation
FAR will contribute to arable farm success by engaging growers to identify the research that matters most, prioritising those projects that promise maximum industry impact, and partnering with growers, research providers and industry, nationally and internationally, to deliver outcomes.
Building arable sector understanding
The organisation will work to ensure a visible and valued arable sector by championing arable farming's contribution to New Zealand, building a robust evidence base to demonstrate the sector's value, and strengthening relationships with government, commercial service providers and other primary sectors.
An efficient and agile FAR
FAR will be a responsive and agile organisation, focused on careful stewardship of grower investment, continuous evaluation of its programmes, and the ongoing development of a connected and capable FAR team.
FAR CEO, Dr Scott Champion said strong connection to growers and collaboration are at the heart of FAR's approach.
"Everything we do starts with growers. Their investment, experience and insights help shape our priorities and ensure our work delivers real value back to them. This strategy reinforces our commitment to being grower-focused while strengthening the connections between farming, science and industry. Growers also want us to help them think about the whole system, those other crops and the integration of livestock that are part of many arable farms."
He said the strategy also recognises the importance of increasing awareness of the arable sector's contribution to New Zealand's economy, food systems and rural communities.
"Arable farming plays a critical role in producing the trusted foods, feeds and seeds that underpin New Zealand's agricultural success. We want the sector to be more visible, better understood and recognised for the value it creates across the economy and society."
The strategy is underpinned by FAR's principles of being grower focused and enhancing arable community, together with the organisation's core values of being trusted, independent, collaborative, curious and engaged.
Dr Champion said these principles and values would guide FAR's work over the next five years.
"Our vision is for a confident, resilient and profitable arable sector. This strategy provides a roadmap for how FAR will work alongside growers and industry partners to help achieve that vision."