Jon Morgan of the Dominion Post writes about a new investment into the kiwifruit industry, and one which will be the world’s biggest research and development programme into finding and developing new kiwifruit varieties.
The investment of $35.7 million will come primarily from Zespri, with the Foundation for Science, Research and Technology providing the remainder over the next seven years.
The industry is hoping to develop a number of new varieties, from green to gold to red.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“The joint Zespri-Plant & Food Research team will target new varieties that look and taste different and have special health attributes.
“Already, a red kiwifruit is close to being commercially viable and four promising new cultivars are being taste-tested by shoppers. These include an early ripening, sweet, green variety, an early gold and two long-life golds.
…
“Research Science and Technology Minister Wayne Mapp predicted the project would take the kiwifruit industry to new levels of international success. “It demonstrates the Government’s commitment to the horticulture sector. It will give New Zealand a commercial advantage over its international competitors.””