Listen: NZ farmers should prepare for technological disruption warns Microsoft

Microsoft chief technology officer Russell Craig (left) at the Microsoft Ignite NZ 2016 conference in Auckland last year. Photo / Supplied

Kiwi farmers will struggle to survive looming technological disruption and meet skyrocketing demand for produce unless they act now, according to a new report by Massey University in association with Microsoft.

The report, titled Disruptive Technology in the Agrifood Sector, reveals that while food producers have been quick to embrace new technologies, they remain short-sighted when it comes to anticipating future demand and are ill-prepared to provide for a rapidly growing population.

Listen to the full interview in the Soundcloud embed below:

Predictions state Kiwis could be facing food shortages within a few decades unless our agrifood sector makes significant changes to the way it operates.

Microsoft chief technology officer Russell Craig, spoke to The Country Early Edition's Dom George about the challenges facing New Zealand's agrifood sector, the need for urgent action and the potential for technology to vastly improve sustainability, efficiency and productivity.