AgriZeroNZ Launches $51M Early Adoption Accelerator to Boost NZ Farm Tech

The Government and industry are jointly backing a new AgriZeroNZ programme to help roll out world-leading farm technologies that will strengthen the competitiveness and profitability of New Zealand farmers, Economic Growth Minister Nicola Willis and Agriculture Minister Todd McClay announced today.

The Early Adoption Accelerator will contribute up to $51 million of existing Crown funding, with the Government matching dollar-for-dollar investment from industry partners.

Nicola Willis says the co-funded model is a key strength of the programme.

What is particularly exciting about this initiative is that it is a genuine partnership between Government and industry, for every commercial dollar invested through AgriZeroNZ, the Government will match it to help scale up practical on-farm innovation.

That means everyone has skin in the game and we are all backing innovation that can make a real difference on farms and ensure New Zealand agriculture remains globally competitive.

Nicola Willis says the focus is on developing usable technologies and helping farmers to adopt them at scale.

New Zealand farmers are already among the world’s most emissions-efficient producers, this programme is about helping them adopt practical new technologies that support productivity, profitability and long-term competitiveness as global markets increasingly expect lower-emissions food and fibre production.

Todd McClay says the Early Adoption Accelerator builds on significant existing investment through AgriZeroNZ into emissions-reducing research and development.

To date AgriZeroNZ has invested $79.9 million in 18 companies, research projects and trials, accelerating a number of tools ranging from inhibitors to probiotics, pastures, animal wearables and vaccines.

A growing pipeline of tools is expected to become available over the next few years, giving farmers more practical options to reduce emissions while maintaining production.

One emissions reduction technology, EcoPond, is already available in New Zealand, with additional tools such as boluses expected later this year. Other technologies, including methane inhibitors, probiotics and vaccines, are expected to follow over the next few years.

This is not about telling farmers what to do. It is about giving them more choices to adopt technologies that fit their farm systems and business models.

AgriZeroNZ is now seeking expressions of interest from companies and industry groups interested in participating in Early Adoption Accelerator projects over the next three years.

Further information is available on the AgriZeroNZ website.