Lincoln University and Ballance Agri-Nutrients have joined forces to drive agricultural innovation and positive change for New Zealand farmers and growers.
The signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Te Whare Wānaka o Aoraki Lincoln University and Ballance underscores a joint commitment to advancing new and better farming and growing practices in New Zealand’s agricultural sector, they said.
Lincoln University and Ballance share a common vision of a prosperous, sustainable, and innovative future for NZ’s primary industries.
By joining forces, they said, they aim to drive positive change for Kiwi farmers and growers, ensuring they remain profitable and sustainable while meeting the increasing expectations of consumers, both in NZ and around the world.
Climate change has brought a pressing need for rapid and effective solutions, especially in areas like greenhouse gas emissions, carbon farming, and carbon sequestration.
Lincoln and Ballance said they are committed to tackling these challenges head-on, as well as promoting on-farm diversification and adapting to climate-impacted land use changes.
By addressing these challenges collaboratively Lincoln and Ballance can contribute significantly to the resilience and sustainability of NZ’s primary industry and support industry aspirations such as the Fonterra Climate Roadmap, Lincoln University’s Provost, Professor Chad Hewitt, said.
He said the agreement establishes a framework for ongoing collaboration, with a focus on identifying and prioritising opportunities for joint projects.
“These opportunities include improving planning and co-ordination, conducting research and demonstrations on Lincoln University’s farms and enhancing environmental stewardship.
“The collaboration also seeks to foster innovation, commercialisation and promotion of the agricultural sector to the public and policy makers.”
One key aspect of the partnership is that it creates a foundation for ongoing and future collaboration with the university, innovation leader at Ballance Stuart Kay said.
“We believe this collaboration will have a positive impact on our industry and will strengthen our connections with universities while showcasing our commitment to innovation and sustainability,” he said.
“We are keen to continue our journey of innovation, sustainability and collaboration, and look forward to the positive impact it will bring to NZ’s farming and agriculture sector.”
The collaboration will improve Ballance’s access to valuable expertise and resources as Lincoln University boasts a strong research and development hub with Crown Research Institutes such as AgResearch, Plant and Food Research and Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research.
Ballance’s intern programme draws significantly from the university, making the partnership an opportunity to build closer relationships with the next generation of agricultural leaders and further establishing the company as a place for agricultural talent to grow.
