‘Like a treasure map’: New tool points CHB farmers to more profitable crops

Central Hawke's Bay District Council's Deputy Mayor Jerry Greer and Economic Growth Manager Libby Tosswill. Photo / Central Hawke's Bay District Council

Central Hawke’s Bay Deputy Mayor Jerry Greer says the council’s new interactive mapping tool is a ‘treasure map’ helping landowners find their gold.

“The Crop Suitability Map shows what could be possible for Central Hawke’s Bay if we had guaranteed access to water,” Greer said.

“We have the best soils, a wonderful climate, and we should be using these resources to safeguard our economy,” Greer says.

The interactive mapping tool, developed over the past year by the council, allows farmers to test the suitability of growing 16 crops on their property, including kiwifruit and avocados, as well as truffles.

Growers simply enter their address, and the app generates a colour-coded suitability rating that integrates long-term climate, economic conditions, yield potential, and soil data to guide crop selection – assuming water access is available.

Greer said he was excited about the app and he hoped it would help farmers affected by McCain and Wattie’s reducing their vegetable processing operations.

“The map is coming out at a time when it is apparent how important land diversification is for everyone’s bottom line,” Greer said.

“Some of the big croppers have got their heads down at the moment, but they’re croppers from old, so they’ll find something else to grow and if the app helps them, that would be great,” Greer said.

“The Crop Suitability Map is like a treasure map to help landowners find their gold.”

A snapshot of the Crop Suitability Map. Growers can pick their crop, and the colours indicate suitability: dark grey is unsuitable, yellow low, light green medium, and bright green high. There are 16 crops to select from.

He said the district needed some form of water security.

“We have been going down this track for some time now. If you’re going to grow high-value crops, you need security of water.”

The Crop Suitability Map project was led by the council’s economic growth manager, Libby Tosswill.

She said two things triggered the idea for the app.

“I was aware of the data supermarket and the land use work that had been done as part of the national science challenges.

“But it wasn’t easy for landowners, investors and growers to access because you need GIS expertise.

“Then last year, I saw that the Central Economic Development Agency, (CEDA) had mapped it for Manawatū,” Tosswill said.

She met with CEDA and as the council has GIS capability in-house, they decided to build the tool for Central Hawke’s Bay.

She said it was a great win for ratepayers as there was no cost involved, only staff time.

Tosswill’s goal was for the council to support landowners in exploring how to optimise their land and diversify its use.

“I wear two hats, one of which is helping to grow the district’s economy and the second is that as a farmer, I understand what landowners are looking for to help them plan.

“Council is filling an information void with an information highway, in an easy-to-use digital tool,” Tosswill said.

“The climate is changing and what can be grown here is changing too. This tool utilises data that captures that so that we can plan.”

She said Central Hawke’s Bay’s primary sector contributes 32% of the district’s GDP, “but we know there is still unlocked potential here”.

She said growers were always looking for the best use for their land and market opportunities.

“This is a science-backed snapshot of what’s possible to diversify and optimise land use.”

LDR is local body journalism co-funded by RNZ and NZ On Air.