Ted Hill: What is the best land in the world?

Are the Heretaunga Plains "the best land in the world?"

So, Mr Frank Long (Wednesday 10th ) with intemperate language, berates Cr Nixon for alleged incompetence and a lack of knowledge over Heretaunga Plains land use issues.

Obviously, his dislike stems more from political attitudes than from reasoned arguments. Emotion and verbal abuse make poor convincing evidence.

His quoted Mr Noel Congdon whom I count as a long-term friend and in the past would have agreed with regarding some appropriate land use issues.

However, title "Best Land in the world" stretches credibility a little too far and needs putting into context.

Millions of acres in dozens of countries could apply that title. "Best" is land most suited to its given purpose (which can include homes) and may change to suit circumstances over time.

As a pertinent illustration, I have observed land in California being transformed from substantial sized hills into levelled graded farms, many thousands of acres with great soils unchanged 50 feet thick.

Heretaunga Plains topsoil probably average 8 inches of topsoil and probably produces on average about half the cannery tomato tonnage of California.

Mr Long might like to cogitate the reason behind the disappearance of many previous crops from our landscape.

Likewise, why corporate farming strategies (vertical integrations?) are becoming totally dominant now in the fruit industries and others, to the detriment of smaller growers and those unable to match the market place demands.

Of course, the answer is "Economics". The "Best Land in the World" is near useless production wise, if it cannot provide a living.

Mr Long also offers no solution other than a hotel block or flats toward Hastings expansion. At least he doesn't advocate half an acre of potatoes.

I would have thought that prospective residents need a reasonable plot of real estate in a decent area, if we are to help attract them.

Maybe, something like Mr Long's residence. It may have also escaped his notice that farming interests have been declining in latter years in terms of comparative GNP, Tourism has surpassed most and, is now ranked third.

New Zealand is also fast becoming a substantial tech society, whether we like it or not.

Industrial, commercial and with of course, attendant homes present greater long-term opportunities for job advancement rather than a problematic and uncertain commitment to "hands in the dirt" enterprises. Even now locally, we temporarily import most of those "hands" for the dirty work.

That of course, is not to say we need abandon our traditional base, but need to recognise that times are changing, and producing attractive, sensible liveable housing developments should become a major part of this change.

Footnote: If climate warming advocates are correct, maybe Central H B production could present a lifeline for the apple industry due to the disappearing dormancy chilling requirements for apple production locally. What price the dam then?

Ted Hill is Life Member and Past President NZ Vegetable Growers Assn, (VEGFED)