More than 60 local growers, producers and businesses attended the Future of Food and Fibre event, hosted by Trust Tairāwhiti in partnership with the Ministry for Primary Industries (MPI) and the Tairāwhiti Growers Association.
Chief Insight Officer at MPI, Jarred Mair, shared practical insights into the global trends expected to shape New Zealand’s food and fibre sector over the next five to ten years. He explored shifting consumer expectations, technology, global trade and emerging innovations, helping attendees understand what these changes could mean for the way their businesses operate.
“Jarred presented a positive future for the primary sector, not only for New Zealand, but for Tairāwhiti specifically,” says AgFirst agribusiness consultant Shanna Cairns.
Jarred’s presentation also delved into artificial intelligence and automation, changing food preferences, gene technologies and new market opportunities.
“We are in exciting times, with AI being integrated into software and hardware, we are soon to enter a phase where businesses will have access to tools that support precision agriculture, not only in factory settings or on the Poverty Bay flats, but in dynamic environments.”
The workshop is the first in a series of events to help Tairāwhiti businesses prepare for future change. Upcoming sessions will cover land use and transition in August and business electrification in September.
To stay up to date with upcoming workshops and events that could support your business, visit our website.