Investing in future of agri

GRASSROOTS: New Zealand farms were a hot topic at the recent Agri Investment Week. PHOTO: SUPPLIED

Youth speakers have expressed their views as to what agri in New Zealand means or could become for locals.

Jack Keeys and Hannah Goodwin raised awareness around current issues and future changes that could be made to audiences at Agri Investment Week held in Palmerston North.

Ms Goodwin spoke of mental health in rural communities and how society needs to focus on improving the mental wellbeing and health of farmers.

"Mental illness in rural areas is a huge issue at the moment as there have been twice as many suicides per year in rural communities in the past few years than other industries. I would love to see an improvement in the wellbeing of farmers in the next year and see more programmes and initiatives available to help them."

She also talked about further diversification of farming and how we need to research and focus on the development into new, quality products to protect our industry and our farmers.

Mr Keeys described things people can do differently to benefit the future of New Zealand and said Kiwis should stand out from the crowd and utilise technologies and genetically modified organisms in a way that is different.

"GMO is an amazing opportunity and is not being used here. I would love to see more diversification in the future and hope to see more research and development done so we can start creating the valued products that are talked about."

He also discussed how cricket and weta farming could be used to an advantage.

Destination Manawatu director Lance Bickford said it was important youth members were heard and involved in agri issues.

"We need 50,000 new people in the agri sector by 2025 to reach the Government goals. In order to achieve this, we need to be investing in the talent of New Zealand and encouraging them to look to the agri sector for new exciting careers."