August 27, 2019
Super smoothie approach to land development
Taranaki Māori landowners are today learning about new crops they can grow to boost the value they get off their whenua.
The Ministry for Primary Industries and Te Puni Kōkiri are running a seminar in Hāwera today about how Taranaki Māori landowners can diversify what they grow on their whenua.
Glen Katu, the MPI's senior advisor for agricultural investment, says they will hear about ventures such as Ngāti Ruanui's involvement in the Miro blueberry cooperative, quinoa growing in Hāwera, hemp farming, and new kiwifruit growing systems.
There are also whānau adding value to indigenous plants such as mānuka and kawakawa.
"Nga Rauru Kitahi have an innovative new product using kawakawa as the base for a superfood. Leonie Matoe will speak about how you can take a frozen drop, mix it with water and you have a super-smoothie, so that company is doing very well," he says.
Glen Katu says as well as getting advice form MPI, landowners can get help for their projects from the Whenua Māori Fund is a stand-alone fund managed by Te Puni Kōkiri:
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