We are pleased to present the AGMARDT Annual Report for 2019/2020. Without a doubt it has been a year of unprecedented challenge and disruption due to COVID-19.
That said, the global impact of COVID has also shown us just how important agribusiness is to New Zealand’s economy and the health and wellbeing of our communities. And during the year, amidst the turmoil, AGMARDT successfully undertook a strategy review resulting in a new future focused strategy with a clear purpose of ‘igniting a better future for food and fibres in Aotearoa New Zealand’. This lays the foundations for an exciting year ahead.
COVID obviously impacted some of our grant recipients, and while some projects were not able to endure, through extending milestones and timeframes, the majority were able to continue with the likelihood of delivering positive outcomes.
Meanwhile, we approved $3.6 million in grant funding during the year – a pleasing result given the unprecedented nature of the year, and a step up from $3.1 million in the previous year. Agribusiness innovation grants remain the leading grant type at 55% of grant expenditure.
During the year we also worked on development of a new initiative designed to spur innovation in areas of priority and catalyse a unified and collaborative sector, the Food & Fibres Aotearoa New Zealand Challenge.
And last but definitely not least – in this we showcase some of our fantastic grant recipients, telling the stories of who they are and what they are achieving, from taking engineered socks into the global market and turning wool fibre into filter media to supporting emerging leaders to build their capability through global immersion programmes.
Read our annual report here.
