Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures projects
Find out about Sustainable Food and Fibre Futures (SFF Futures) projects that have been funded so far.
Pelagics 2030
- Project start date:
- Project length: 30 months
- MPI funding: $825,690
- Co-investment funding: $550,460
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Farmed - marine finfish
- Project partners: Pelco NZ Limited
- Regions: Bay of Plenty
In New Zealand some pelagic fisheries are sizeable and their sustainability status is unknown. This project aims to both advance industry practice, and determine the sustainability of these fisheries by developing new management tools and data capture technologies. Jack mackerel and blue mackerel are key focus species. The project aims to support fishery operations with robust information, enable better decision making, and provide certainty.
Peria Horticultural Programme
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $1,120,000
- Co-investment funding: $775,000
- Sectors: Horticulture, Māori agribusiness
- Project partners: Te Waharoa Investments Limited
- Regions: Waikato
This horticultural programme utilises the vision of Wiremu Tamehana and the blueprint of Peria village to guide prosperous futures through a blend of Mātauranga Māori and Western science. It sets out to achieve environmental, social and economic outcomes that are culturally driven. The programme aims to inspire the rapid adoption of innovative and integrated thinking as foundational for horticultural success.
Horticultural programme to provide new opportunities for Ngāti Hauā – Government media release
Phosphine treatment of avocados
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $40,000
- Co-investment funding: $60,000
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Other fruit/fruit products
- Project partners: New Zealand Avocado
- Regions: Nationwide
New Zealand Avocado tested treating avocados to reduce the presence of common quarantine pests, while maintaining fruit quality. Researchers found 3,000ppm phosphine for 48 hours is a promising treatment, achieving 100% mortality of scale insects and approximately 20% of mould mites with minimal impacts to fruit quality.
Pig Gas: A greenhouse gas emissions calculator for New Zealand pig farmers
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $25,500
- Co-investment funding: $19,500
- Sectors: Agritech, Meat
- Sub-sectors: Pork
- Project partners: New Zealand Pork Industry Board
- Regions: Nationwide
This project developed a tool to estimate carbon dioxide equivalent emissions for the piggery operations of New Zealand pig farmers. The tool was adapted from an existing Australian model to suit New Zealand farming operations and emissions reporting data and criteria. It is run in-house by the New Zealand Pork Industry Board and based on surveys of New Zealand pig farmers.
Pilot development of marine farming systems for Asparagopsis
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $194,400
- Co-investment funding: $404,506
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Aquatic plants (algae and seaweed), Other fisheries research - data
- Project partners: CH4 Aotearoa Limited
- Regions: Nelson
The project was successful in developing tank-based methods to grow the seaweed Asparagopsis armata and seeding it onto mussel lines for further growth. The seeded lines were impacted by adverse weather so the marine trials could not be completed. Post-project activities will focus on an on-land system to provide biomass with more consistent bromoform content for use in animal feed.
Pilot project to deliver succession planning workshops
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $37,800
- Co-investment funding: $37,800
- Sectors: Dairy, Sector resilience
- Project partners: SMASH Trust
- Regions: Nationwide
This project developed and ran a series of workshops for farmers to examine options and solutions for succession planning on farm. After leveraging existing resources, the project assessed farmers’ needs when developing their succession plan. It identified appropriately qualified presenters to deliver the workshops. Eight workshops were held across the country, offering dairy farmers a framework for successfully navigating this transition.
Piloting scaled spirulina production
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2+ years (project extended)
- MPI funding: $260,000
- Co-investment funding: $457,717
- Sectors: Alternative proteins, Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Aquatic plants (algae and seaweed)
- Project partners: NZ Algae Innovations Ltd
- Regions: Manawatū-Whanganui
NZ Algae Innovations is piloting scaled spirulina production, which could lead to an algal protein sector being established in New Zealand. The project will develop a new business model so modular production units can be replicated in potential growing regions across New Zealand.
Supporting spirulina farming - YouTube
Media release: Project investigating viability of large-scale spirulina production in New Zealand
Pine pollen
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $288,500
- Co-investment funding: $288,500
- Sectors: Forestry
- Sub-sectors: Commercial forestry
- Project partners: Pine Pollen NZ Ltd
- Regions: Nationwide
This project aimed to establish the foundations of a New Zealand pine pollen industry, with R&D carried out on harvesting, processing and storage of pine pollen. It also investigated the biochemistry and nutrition of pine pollen, and the global pine pollen market. The project successfully demonstrated that pine pollen can be harvested effectively from certain types of existing pine forests. A large (almost NZD $4 billion) market already exists in Asia for pine pollen, and New Zealand is well positioned to enter it, if large-scale harvest is enabled.
Plant-based testosterone in pine pollen could be a goldmine – MPI media release
Plantain potency and practice
- Project start date:
- Project length: 7 years
- MPI funding: $8,978,000
- Co-investment funding: $13,249,000
- Sectors: Dairy
- Sub-sectors: Other animal dairy products/research
- Project partners: DairyNZ
- Regions: Nationwide
This programme aims to deliver a low-cost forage solution to nitrate leaching. It is expected to demonstrate plantain’s efficacy at scale, so farmers have the confidence they need to invest in pasture and practice change. A major output of the programme will be a generic plantain evaluation system that will link to tools for farmers.
Media releases
New plantain research a turning point for dairy – DairyNZ media release
Programme documents
Plantain Potency and Practice outcome logic model [PDF, 153 KB]
Quarterly progress report summaries
December 2023 to February 2024 - Plaintain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 614 KB]
September to November 2023 – Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 471 KB]
June to August 2023 - Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 705 KB]
March 2023 to May 2023 - Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 1.7 MB]
December 2022 to February 2023 – Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 2.4 MB]
September to November 2022 – Pantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 484 KB]
June to August 2022 – Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 1.1 MB]
March to May 2022 – Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 411 KB]
Sept to Nov 2021 – Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 254 KB]
June to Aug 2021 – Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 226 KB]
March to May 2021 – Plantain Potency and Practice progress report [PDF, 313 KB]
Pork eating quality standard
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $45,000
- Co-investment funding: $59,479
- Sectors: Meat
- Sub-sectors: Pork
- Project partners: New Zealand Pork Industry Board
- Regions: Nationwide
This project successfully determined variances in pork eating quality based on Ph levels and using the immunological medicine Improvac. This information aims to encourage practice change within the industry and increase the amount of quality pork processed. NZPork plans to investigate other practices in the supply chain that could also be addressed to improve eating quality.
Determining the variability in eating quality of New Zealand fresh pork report [PDF, 537 KB]
Pork workshop consumer study presentation [PDF, 7.5 MB]
Boar taint indicators of selected pork samples from entire and immunocastrated Improvac® males report [PDF, 470 KB]
Precision silviculture
- Project start date:
- Project length: 7 years
- MPI funding: $10,200,000
- Co-investment funding: $15,300,000
- Sectors: Forestry
- Sub-sectors: Commercial forestry
- Project partners: Forest Growers Research Limited
- Regions: Nationwide
This programme will enable the forestry industry to switch to the latest silviculture technology. It will focus on developing mechanisation, automation, digital technology and robotics in the silviculture value chain. This will have a major impact on the key silvicultural areas of planting, pruning and thinning, as well as in-nursery activities.
Technical innovation to revolutionise forestry – Government media release
April to June 2023 – Precision Silviculture progress report [PDF, 224 KB]
January to March 2023 – Precision Silviculture progress report [PDF, 331 KB]
October to December 2022 – Precision Silviculture progress report [PDF, 347 KB]
July to September 2022 – Precision Silviculture progress report [PDF, 257 KB]
Precision weeding with a Smart Waterjet Weeder, not chemicals or cultivation
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $140,000
- Co-investment funding: $98,000
- Sectors: Agritech, Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Viticulture
- Project partners: Lincoln Agritech Ltd, Waiata Vineyard, Cloudy Bay, Pernod Ricard, Indevin, Villa Maria, Yealands
- Regions: Nationwide
This project will introduce, test and adapt a new-to-New Zealand high-pressure Smart Waterjet Weeder. This will be used in New Zealand vineyards to control weeds in vine or tree rows. The trials will use a paired approach against conventional practices to benchmark any successes. If successful, the technology will provide an additional or replacement tool for weed control. It will also increase water use efficiency for vineyards and orchards across New Zealand.
Preliminary evaluation of potential feed-based commercial solutions to the problem of ruminant methane emissions
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $998,400
- Co-investment funding: $1,497,785
- Sectors: Dairy, Meat
- Project partners: Methane Mitigation Ventures Ltd, CH4 Global, Lone Star Farms, ANZCO/Five Star Beef
- Regions: Nationwide
Mootral™, a natural plant-based feed supplement, and Asparagopsis armata, a type of seaweed that contains bromoform, have both been shown to reduce methane emissions from ruminants in research settings but have not yet been trialled in pastoral conditions. This project will evaluate the effectiveness of these two supplements, develop practical feeding systems, and assess the potential commercial viability of these bioactive products in New Zealand.
Premium Lamb High IMF Category – Producer Extension Project
- Project start date:
- Project length: 2 years
- MPI funding: $110,669
- Co-investment funding: $166,004
- Sectors: Meat
- Sub-sectors: Sheepmeat (including lamb)
- Project partners: Lean Meats Limited
- Regions: Nationwide
This project will help Atkins Ranch lamb producers better understand intramuscular fat (IMF) data and apply learnings to make on-farm changes necessary to improve IMF scores. This will then allow them to earn price premiums for enhanced IMF performance.
Producing dairy identical proteins using precision fermentation
- Project start date:
- Project length: 1 year
- MPI funding: $100,000
- Co-investment funding: $150,000
- Sectors: Alternative proteins
- Sub-sectors: Plant-based protein
- Project partners: Daisy Lab Limited
- Regions: Auckland, Wellington
This research-based project focuses on scaling-up production of microbially-derived dairy-identical protein from lab scale (less than 0.5 litre fermentation volume) to a pilot scale (up to 20 litre fermentation volume). Project activities will provide data and insights to help improve the fermentation process and test the parameters needed to continue scaling up the bioprocess.
Product development, added value products, truffle inoculation
- Project start date:
- Completed date:
- MPI funding: $185,200
- Co-investment funding: $266,700
- Sectors: Food and beverage products, Horticulture, Māori agribusiness
- Project partners: Ohiwa Black Diamonds Truffles
- Regions: Bay of Plenty
This project conducted research and development to create new products from truffles, and offered workshops and land assessments to build the capability of Māori landowners who want to grow truffles. The project developed the OBD Unearthed Secrets skin care range which includes a product line of lip balm, heel balm, eye serum and anti-aging cream. Ohiwa Black Diamonds Truffles also undertook 63 land assessments and soil analysis for the purpose of growing truffles. This led to 8 truffières being planted out on whenua Māori, with another 14 blocks to be planted out following completion of the project.
Owners of unproductive land encouraged to grow 'black diamonds' – MPI media release
Project BOW – Board of Wool (strong wool commercial wool board)
- Project start date:
- Project length: 10 months
- MPI funding: $81,000
- Co-investment funding: $119,000
- Sectors: Natural fibres
- Sub-sectors: Animal-based fibres
- Project partners: Wools of New Zealand Limited
- Regions: Nationwide
This project seeks to develop a prototype for a composite board made from New Zealand strong wool and recycled plastics. It aims to increase sustainable options for the New Zealand building industry, and ultimately increase returns for strong wool growers.
Project Nautilus: Next-gen aquaculture
- Project start date:
- Project length: 6 years
- MPI funding: $6,721,000
- Co-investment funding: $10,085,000
- Sectors: Seafood/aquatic
- Sub-sectors: Land-based - finfish
- Project partners: Mount Cook Alpine Salmon Ltd
- Regions: Canterbury
This programme will develop a prototype for New Zealand’s first sustainable, land-based salmon farm. It will also trial growing Sockeye salmon in an aquaculture environment for the first time in New Zealand, and develop a new ready-to-eat processing standard for finfish.
January 2024 to March 2024 – Project Nautilus progress report [PDF, 173 KB]
October 2023 to December 2023 – Project Nautilus progress report [PDF, 217 KB]
April 2023 to June 2023 – Project Nautilus progress report [PDF, 168 KB]
January 2023 to May 2023 - Project Nautilus progress report [PDF, 163 KB]
October 2022 to December 2022 – Project Nautilus progress report [PDF, 192 KB]
January 2022 to September 2022 – Project Nautilus progress report [PDF, 185 KB]
Media release: MPI backs innovative land-based salmon farm
Project WOW – Walk on Wool
- Project start date:
- Project length: 1 year
- MPI funding: $250,000
- Co-investment funding: $375,000
- Sectors: Natural fibres
- Sub-sectors: Animal-based fibres, Strong wool
- Project partners: Wools of New Zealand Limited Partnership
- Regions: Nationwide
Working in collaboration with leading architects and designers, this project aims to develop a sustainable strong wool carpet tile that will meet both New Zealand and international building standards and environmental credentials. It aims to provide a natural alternative to the commercial building sector, which relies predominantly on nylon and polyester fibres.
Proof of concept for a Novel biostimulant / biofertiliser formulation
- Project start date:
- Project length: 3 years
- MPI funding: $792,000
- Co-investment funding: $1,188,000
- Sectors: Horticulture
- Sub-sectors: Other fruit/fruit products, Other vegetables/vegetable products
- Project partners: Biocell Corporation Limited
- Regions: Nationwide
This project will develop a proof of concept of a novel biofertiliser formulation in field trials across a wide range of farming and horticultural activities. It aims to substantially reduce or eliminate the need for chemical nitrogen fertilisers.