Asparagus support

Press, 29 August 1986, Page 13

Asparagus support

Industry initiative and cash support is required to ensure continued asparagus research, a member of the newly-formed Asparagus Research Committee, Mr Hans Verbene, has said. "We hope that in their own interests other industry sectors like canneries, processors and exporters will also come to the party,” he said. Although the committee has accumulated $20,000 from grower levies, that amount will cover little research and new projects will only begin when fur- * ther support is received. /■ The New Zealand As-

paragus Council formed the committee in response to increased requests for financial support of research proposals. Mr Verbene said it has a wide ranging brief to co-ordinate asparagus research, including the establishment of priorities and project reviews for all research institutions. “In setting priorities, the committee will take into account the commercial value of research to growers and the balance between shorter and longer term research.” The need for greater research into post-Jiarvest treatment of asparagus

production is an example of priority setting, he said. Asparagus production increased by 3000 tonnes last year to about 8000 tonnes. More than 60 per cent of asparagus was canned. Final figures for the 1985-86 season have not been published but Mr Verbene said fresh exports appear to have declined slightly. Frozen exports had increased to some extent but canned exports increased substantially despite a 19 per cent per kilogram drop in the F. 0.8. value of canned asparagus.