Farming holds own in knowledge economy

By STUART DYE

They are the backbone of New Zealand and, even in the days of a "knowledge economy", students are refusing to turn their backs on agriculture and horticulture.

More than 4200 students are sitting exams in agricultural and horticultural science in this year's NCEA - slightly up on last year's figure.

And it is small wonder the subject remains popular: agricultural, forestry and horticultural exports were valued at $17.9 billion or 64 per cent of New Zealand's total exports last year, according to MAF.

The image of the farmer and his plough is a far cry from the industry of today. Yesterday's level 3 exam tested students on management practices to maximise financial returns, and asked them to identify market opportunities for a nationally significant primary product.

In a separate paper, they were asked to look in depth at the New Zealand onion export market, detailing market forces and the attributes of markets in different countries.

AgResearch chief executive Andy West said students studying agriculture had the brightest of futures.

"It's more important an industry than ever before with food exports representing a bigger proportion of the merchandise exports now than they did 10 years ago."

Dr West said tourism was New Zealand's biggest industry, but it was built on the back of the rural economy.

"These are not sunset industries; they continually reinvent themselves, which makes them so exciting.

"And what is absolutely crucial is how sophisticated they are. Industries in New Zealand have to work smarter and smarter, and agriculture has always been the best at that."

Students sitting agriculture exams had tremendous futures, and with a shortfall in employment numbers, the world was their oyster, said Dr West.

Meanwhile, the Qualifications Authority says that despite the size of the exam operation it is running smoothly.

It is the biggest logistical operation in NZQA's history with 130,000 candidates, 38 subjects, 114 exam sessions and 3 million papers.

With just a week of exams left, the authority said there had only been a handful of minor glitches.

Today's timetable

Morning: Human Biology level 1, Classical Studies level 2, Maths with Calculus level 3, Economics Scholarship.

Afternoon: Maths level 2, Classical Studies level 3.