Agriculture

By Rob Jordan, Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment A major opportunity for avoiding climate change’s worst impacts lies in reducing methane emissions, particularly from food production, according to a pair of new studies. The parallel papers, published in the journals Earth System Science Data and Environmental Research Letters, report that emissions of methane have jumped dramatically in recent years and are approaching an internationally recognised worst-case scenario for greenhouse gas emissions. Unchecked, this increase could see temperatures rise as much as 6 degrees Fahrenheit (4 degrees Celsius), speeding sea level rise and more extreme weather. The papers also lay out recommendations for curbing methane emissions in the future, with a focus on food production, which makes up about one third of total man-made emissions. The papers were co-authored by Rob Jackson, chair of Stanford’s Earth System Science Department and head of the Global Carbon Project, which organised the work. The alarming increase in methane draws attention to managing those emissions for climate change mitigation. While most mitigation efforts have focused on carbon dioxide, the more common greenhouse gas, methane’s warming potential is about 28 times greater on a 100-year horizon, and its lifespan in the atmosphere is much shorter. In other words, it can do major damage, but getting it under control could tip the climate change equation relatively rapidly. “Methane presents the best opportunity to slow climate change quickly,” said Jackson. “Carbon dioxide has a longer reach, but methane strikes faster.” Surprising findings The paper’s findings are particularly surprising because methane concentrations were stagnant for years up until a decade ago. And unlike carbon dioxide, the bulk of methane emissions are human-driven. Chief among those, according to the analysis, are agricultural sources such as livestock, which emit methane through bodily functions and manure, and rice fields, which emit […]

Want to break into an Asian market? New Zealand businesses need to think big but start small and get “Asian-savvy”, an expert in Asian business networks says. And that will take a shift in mind-set among some of our businesses as well as serious investment in upskilling. Professor Natasha Hamilton-Hart, the new director of the New Zealand Asia Institute, says New Zealand is “behind the curve” in developing a workforce with the skills and knowledge needed to succeed in Asian markets. “We’ve increased sales to the region, but we can’t rely on the low-hanging fruit to grow in the longer term,” she says. She says the $34.5 million government funding announced in June to set up new Centres of Asia-Pacific Excellence is welcome but overdue. “Australia is way ahead educating for Asia engagement, and even Singapore – which is squarely in and of the region – has recognised since the 1980s that it needs to actively develop the skills and mind-sets for expanding in the region. It won’t happen automatically.” Professor Hamilton-Hart has previously held positions at the National University of Singapore and the Australian National University. She introduced the Asia Savvy Conference at the University of Auckland Business School on Saturday 27 August. The conference, in its sixth year, is student-driven and supported by the institute. Speakers shared their experiences of doing business in Asia, emerging market trends and opportunities for New Zealand entrepreneurs. Being Asia-savvy not only helps entering a market, it means you’re less likely to be blindsided by predictable events, Professor Hamilton-Hart says. Her advice to businesses wanting to take on an Asian market: • Really get to grips with your market. Beyond standard market research, businesses need to understand the wider culture and politics at play. • Share stories of failure as well success. “There […]

While volatility in business is to be expected, many of New Zealand’s primary producers have experienced a bumpy ride in recent years. Increased volatility driven by to swings in international commodity prices and the value of the NZ dollar is now the new normal according to professional services firm Crowe Horwath. In this context, Crowe Horwath says a strong case is made for agribusinesses in general to invest time and effort into careful budgeting and cash flow planning to weather unexpected difficult times. “The dairy sector witnessed the heady payout levels of 2013-14 rapidly give way to the current trough and associated uncertainty around a recovery timeframe. This has created real pressure for many,” confirms Larry Mitchell Agribusiness Advisor at Crowe Horwath. “However, while this is a case in point, it illustrates that as a globally traded commodity any agribusiness faces volatility risks where markets can and do change regularly.” That, Mitchell notes, makes a strong case for optimising cash flow through careful planning and preparation. “Getting a clear handle on budgets and cash flows is good business practice that should be undertaken in the good times as well as bad. In fact, the point of planning is to give your business the resilience to ride the lows – even though you may have little-to-no idea when they might come,” Mitchell adds. Take stock of spending habits Putting together cash flow and budgets starts with taking the time to honestly evaluate spending patterns for the business. “Once budgets are established, stick to them. Avoid the temptation to spend a little bit extra here and there; the extras quickly add up and soon you could be looking at a significant amount of unplanned expenditure over the year,” Mitchell points out. The temptation is likely to be stronger in good times; don’t […]

Karl Rich has been helping to farm an altogether more delicate animal than those usually associated with agribusiness. The Lincoln University Agribusiness and International Development Associate Professor was recently part of a multi-disciplinary, international group of researchers looking to develop an innovative approach to conservation in India — butterfly farming. The group wants to aid conservation of butterflies in Western Ghats, “an area with some of the highest levels of biodiversity in the world and one threatened by unsustainable agricultural and land use patterns,” Associate Professor Rich says. He says in developing countries conservation efforts can be very challenging. “It can be more financially lucrative to engage in activities that are harmful to the environment and biodiversity. A crucial need is to develop and promote conservation programs that take place as part of the wider socio-economic system, balancing environmental considerations with those of stakeholders.” They looked at exporting the butterflies but strict regulations prevent the export of India’s flora and fauna. “Global markets for butterflies are largely saturated as well,” he adds. So the team explored ways of integrating butterfly farming into farming itself. “Our research found that butterfly gardens can be integrated at low cost in many farming systems, such as coffee, as a source of income diversification through ecotourism or environmental branding. They also designed a model butterfly garden as an education tool for biodiversity and environmental protection. “By housing this garden at a school for the disabled (Swastha), such a site could further provide vocational skills, rehabilitation, and therapy for students, while promoting social awareness at a community level.” “Our approach represents a low-cost, scalable means to mainstream conservation efforts into everyday activities, and promote social awareness of the plight of disadvantaged groups,” he says. An expected outcome of this project will be to highlight Kodagu, the […]

Lincoln University’s part in a US$106m (NZD$156m) project to sustainably manage and help spread technology through Indonesian agriculture was formally recognised recently. In the picture: Lincoln University Vice-Chancellor Professor Robin Pollard, left, with Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) Executive Secretary Dr M Prama Yufdy. Vice Chancellor Professor Robin Pollard signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development (IAARD) Executive Secretary Dr M Prama Yufdy on May 6. IAARD is part of the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and is implementing the Sustainable Management of Agricultural Research and Technology Dissemination (SMARTD) project funded by the World Bank. Lincoln already has several IAARD staff studying at post graduate level after they completed the University’s English language programme, and there is a need for more staff to be upskilled. IAARD have been sending staff to North America, Europe, Australia and New Zealand for training. The agreement establishes areas where Lincoln could further increase its involvement in the training as well as looking at other areas of collaboration. These include; Government scholarship programmes aimed at addressing institutional research needs in Indonesia, establishing pathways for Indonesian students to complete Masters and PhD Programmes in relevant agricultural fields, as well as the development of collaborative research projects in priority areas. Lincoln’s Director of International and Student Engagement, Dee Coleman, says Lincoln’s strength in Agriculture has been favourable for the Indonesian Government and “we welcome these relationships where we can engage in international knowledge sharing between nations”. “The perception in Indonesia of Lincoln as New Zealand’s specialist land based university is cemented, and it lifts our academic profile with other Government departments,” she says. *Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Research and Development functions are performed by the Secretariat and 13 research centres for the purpose of managing research and development. These […]