The Ministry for Primary Industries is expanding a scholarship programme for tertiary students as part of its efforts to boost on-the-ground support for farmers and growers.
The MPI’s director of On Farm Support, Dr John Roche, said ensuring farmers and growers are assisted to adapt to change will help contribute to the government’s ambitious goal of doubling the value of exports within 10 years.
“Farmers’ ability to access support hinges on having a highly skilled primary industry advisory sector with the capacity to provide specialised on-the-ground extension services and advice.
“We have decided to offer our On Farm Support Science Scholarships for a second year and to widen eligibility for the programme.”
Six scholarships, worth a total of $30,000, are on offer for the 2025 academic year to tertiary students enrolled in relevant agriculture, horticulture, science, or viticulture degrees. Applicants must be studying at Massey, Lincoln, Otago or Waikato universities, or the Eastern Institute of Technology or Nelson Marlborough Institute of Technology and have completed their first year of study.
Scholarship recipients receive mentoring and development opportunities from the MPI’s On Farm Support team as part of the programme.
One of the inaugural 2024 scholarship recipients, Nerissa Edwards, is studying a Bachelor of Agricultural Science at Massey University in Palmerston North. She urges students to apply.
“I have found the scholarship programme hugely beneficial,” Edwards said.
“My On Farm Support mentor has helped me build connections within the advisory sector, leading to an internship with a local advisory company. I am grateful for these relationships and excited to see what opportunities arise when I graduate this year.”
Applications for the scholarships opened on August 19 and close at 5pm on September 16 2024.
Successful recipients will be chosen by an evaluation panel made up of representatives from across the MPI.
Further information, including how to apply, is available on the MPI’s website.
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