Nelson diversifies

Press, 5 August 1988, Page 14

Nelson diversifies

Horticulture in the Motueka district has changed dramatically in recent years.

About 2000 hectares of hop and tobacco land have been converted to alternative crops such as kiwifruit, nashi, avocados, feijoas and green tea. The D.S.I.R. Crop Research Division’s Riwaka Station has played a major role in these developments, according to the station director, Peter Smale The development of higher quality hops meant less land area was needed to supply brewers’ requirements. The improved hops quality has opened up new export opportunities, and Mr Smale believes the area may start to increase again. '

The area of. tobacco was reduced through a Government subsidy to encourage growers into alternative crops. The hops and tobacco industries earn the region’s farmers about $l2 million a year, and their products provide the Government with more than SSOOM in taxes.

Diversification from tobacco saw kiwifruit plantings boom, and Nelson Is a major exporting region with its own port and other infrastructure for handling the crop. Crop Research Division began breeding kiwifruit in 1981. A joint agreement was recently signed with Challenge Horticulture and MAFTech for regional evaluation of up to 10 progeny from the programme. Diversification into kiwifruit in Nelson now accounts for approximately 1500 ha, about the same area as the region’s apple and pear plantings. Pipfruit has played a traditional role in the economy of Nelson Province. The stability of the industry under Apple and pear Board selling policies has been an attractive alternative for many farmers in recent years. The existing cultivar mix includes Braeburn, which was originally found on a local orchard. Mr Smale believes the New Zealand industry has a good seasonal mix which assists in selling, but there is a need for

new types to follow Gala and Braeburn.

The region has seen major plantings of nashi in its first years as a commercial crop. Investigation into establishing a Japanese green tea industry in the region began after the first moves to restructure the tobacco industry. . D.S.I.R.’s contribution to this novel diversification was propagation of several million plants. By the end of 1989 about 100 ha will be planted, with the first harvest ' expected within three years.

Among the minor crops grown on more favoured sites are persimmons, tamarillos, avocados, and feijoas.