Farming must unify to grow, says author

Nathan Crombie | 27th November 2009

Fragmented representation is a disaster for the rural sector, says the Wairarapa author of a new book on the future of New Zealand farming.

Journalist and agricultural commentator Alan Emerson, who has farmed near Riversdale for the past 12 years, is co-editor with Massey University's director of agriculture, Professor Jacqueline Rowarth, of a new book launched this week called Future Food Farming: New Zealand Incorporated Meeting Tomorrow's Markets.

Greenlees Print in Masterton completed the layout and cover design for the book, which draws together professionals, consultants and academics in the field and tables "options for farming in the future" that includes fenceless dairy farming, sustainable farming, biosecurity, co-operatives, markets of tomorrow and genetic engineering.

The 124-page book also features a chapter on future technology written by Wairarapa wireless internet company owner Bridget Canning and Masterton internet consultant Scott Bensemann.

Mr Emerson said the book targets "piles of issues" for the future of New Zealand farming despite "the agricultural sector not getting resources to realise those options" and the lack of a Green Table to devise and consolidate a combined industrial strategy.

"We've got to get away from fragmented representation - we've got a whole pile of groups that represent different parts of farming - and set up a Green Table with one properly resourced unit like Business New Zealand does," he told Radio New Zealand yesterday.

Mr Emerson, who has also authored a book on co-operative work practice, envisages organisations like Federated Farmers, Rural Women and Meat & Wool New Zealand belonging to such a body.

"It's that single voice I see as being vital for agriculture to move forward, " he said.

"The sector hasn't got a strategy at the moment - it's basically ignored by politicians, the bureaucrats and mainstream electronic media - and that's a disaster for rural New Zealand."

Mr Emerson said Wairarapa "is better off than most" as Castlepoint farmer and Wairarapa Federated Farmers president Anders Crofoot "is extremely effective".

"I would hope the sector groups can look above short-term interests outcomes and eventually consider forming a unified body at a national level."