NZPPI is delighted to announce that last week NZPPI signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Lincoln University to establish a national Centre of Excellence for plant production at Lincoln.
This Centre will provide extension, research and capacity-building programmes for our industry, from breeding and germplasm through to the production and marketing of plants and plant products. The overall aim is to drive productivity in our industry through:
- accelerating the adoption of innovations to improve productivity and profitability.
- technical and extension services for NZPPI members and our partners.
- establishing new models for horticulture education, in the regions and in the workplace.
Alongside this partnership with Lincoln, sits an Innovation Network Model for plant production, which is attached. Essentially the framework will give our members access to expertise from Lincoln and through its international networks.
This is a step change for our industry. It will put plant producers in the driving seat, making science and education relevant and accessible, as well as cheaper and faster. Through our relationship with Lincoln, NZPPI can bring together the resources and know-how needed to establish the Centre of Excellence plus regional and local centres where extension and education activities can be delivered.
To help deliver all this, NZPPI has employed a Programmes Manager, starting this month. We look forward to introducing the manager to you once they take up the post.
This is an exciting time for our industry. Aotearoa New Zealand has a strong history as one of the world’s leading plant production industries. After more than 20 years of decline in our research and training systems, this is our opportunity to get back on track.
Over the coming weeks you will hear more about the MoU and our work with Lincoln. In the meantime, we welcome your feedback on this announcement and the Innovation Network Model framework.