The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is delighted at the recent budget announcement which confirms $190m will be invested into the Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) over the next four years.
Agriculture and Forestry Minister David Carter, yesterday announced the detail of a Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) which will receive a funding boost over the next four years. This commitment by the Government will be matched dollar-for-dollar by industry, bringing the total value to $140m per year by 2012.
Nick Pyke, FAR's Chief Executive welcomes the Primary Growth Partnership initiative. He says this announcement clearly demonstrates the Government's commitment to increase productivity across New Zealand's primary sectors. "FAR has the funding available to co-invest in PGP projects with Government and other sectors and has been developing a number of research programmes which aim to ensure that the New Zealand arable industry continues to thrive and be a major contributor to the New Zealand economy."
A 30m investment will be made by the Government in 2009 followed by 40m in 2010, 50m in 2011 reaching a 70m investment by 2012. The funding will be invested across five main sectors: pastoral (including wool) and arable production; horticulture; seafood (including aquaculture); forestry and wood products and food processing. 5m will go towards climate change initiatives.
What is the Primary Growth Partnership?
Primary Growth Partnership (PGP) is a government-industry partnership that will invest in significant programmes of research and innovation to boost the economic growth and sustainability of New Zealand's primary and food sectors, including forestry. Major primary industry representatives have been closely involved in the development of the partnership.
FAR Welcomes Budget Announcement
