Projects

- www.argos.org.nz

Click on project title for more information

STRATEGIC ANALYSIS
Projects:

Wind Erosion Practices and Perceptions Survey (Dec 2002)
Regional Economic Development Strategy - Chatham Islands (Aug 2002)
Beekeeper Business Opportunities (Feb 2003)
Niue Organic Farming Feasibility Study

POLICY ADVICE
Projects:

A review of Land Use Projections for 2010 and Implications for Water (June 2003)
Economic Impacts of Alternative Minimum Flow regimes on the Rangitata River (July 2003)
Rangitata River Conservation Order : Economic Impact Analysis (Oct 2001)
Regional Economic Development Strategy - Chatham Islands (Aug 2002)
Economic Efficiency of Water Allocation - MAF Technical Paper No 2001 / 7 (2001)
Economic and Social Assessment of Community Irrigation Projects - MAF Technical Paper No 2002 / 13 (2002)
An evaluation of the extent to which current local Government rating creates a rural to urban subsidy (current)
The economic cost of identity preservation for selected crops in New Zealand (current)
Rights to take, dam use and divert water: Law Practice and Perceptions (current)

AGRIBUSINESS DEVELOPMENT
Projects:

Central Plains Water Enhancement - Economic and Social Impacts of Proposed Irrigation Schemes
Regional Economic Development Strategy - Chatham Islands (Aug 2002)
Beekeeper Business Opportunities (Feb 2003)
Waitakere Organic Cluster
Sustainable Agriculture Management Systems Network
Executive Director - Organic Products Exporters of New Zealand Inc (OPENZ)

PROJECT MANAGEMENT
Projects:

Strategies to enhance biodiversity on mixed cropping farms
Wind Erosion Practices and Perceptions Survey (Dec 2002)
An evaluation of the extent to which current local Government rating creates a rural to urban subsidy (current)
Samoa Ministry of Agriculture Forests Fisheries and Meteorology (MAFFM)- Institutional Strengthening Programme - Organic Mission to New Zealand
ARGOS Project
Executive Director - Organic Products Exporters of New Zealand Inc (OPENZ)
Expanding Options for New Zealand beekeepers

FACILITATION
Projects:

Strategies to enhance biodiversity on mixed cropping farms
Wind Erosion Practices and Perceptions Survey (Dec 2002)
Regional Economic Development Strategy - Chatham Islands (Aug 2002)
Waitakere Organic Cluster
ARGOS Project
Sustainable Agriculture Management Systems Network
Expanding Options for New Zealand beekeepers

ENHANCING SUSTAINABILITY
Projects:

Project Aqua - Assessment of Environmental Effects
Strategies to enhance biodiversity on mixed cropping farms
A review of Land Use Projections for 2010 and Implications for Water (June 2003)
Economic Impacts of Alternative Minimum Flow regimes on the Rangitata River (July 2003)
Wind Erosion Practices and Perceptions Survey (Dec 2002)
Rangitata River Conservation Order : Economic Impact Analysis (Oct 2001)
Economic Efficiency of Water Allocation - MAF Technical Paper No 2001 / 7 (2001)
Economic and Social Assessment of Community Irrigation Projects - MAF Technical Paper No 2002 / 13 (2002)
The economic cost of identity preservation for selected crops in New Zealand (current)
Rights to take, dam use and divert water: Law Practice and Perceptions (current)
Niue Organic Farming Feasibility Study
ARGOS Project
Sustainable Agriculture Management Systems Network

Project Details:

PROJECT TITLE	A review of Land Use Projections for 2010 and Implications for Water
CLIENT	Ministry for the Environment
PROJECT PARTNERS
DATE	June 2003
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	An issue based report for MFE as part of their state of the environment review. Future land use projections at a national and regional level were developed to assess the impact of future irrigation development on water bodies including identification of those water bodies that will come under pressure.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Researcher and Author
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Economic Impacts of Alternative Minimum Flow regimes on the Rangitata River
CLIENT	Environment Canterbury
PROJECT PARTNERS	Lincoln Environmental
DATE	July 2003
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	An analysis of the likely economic impacts of a range of flow regimes on the Rangitata River on individual farming properties and at a regional level. This work was carried out as part of Ecans evidence for the Environment Court.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Economic modeling, presentation of expert evidence .
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

Wind Erosion Practices and Perceptions Survey

PROJECT TITLE
CLIENT	Environment Canterbury
PROJECT PARTNERS	Business Improvement Group (survey design ,management and analysis)
DATE	Dec 2002
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	A survey of practices and perceptions of arable farmers in relation to wind erosion of arable soils in Canterbury as part of Ecans development of their NRRP.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Background research, analysis and reporting including development of recommendations.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Central Plains Water Enhancement - Economic and Social Impacts of Proposed Irrigation Schemes
CLIENT	Central Plains Water Enhancement Group
PROJECT PARTNERS	Butcher Partners Ltd, Harris Consulting
DATE	Nov 2000
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	An ex ante analysis of the likely impacts of proposed large scale (192,000 ha) Community Irrigation Schemes on the Canterbury Plains New Zealand.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Development of agricultural financial models to estimate output of various land use scenarios as well as on farm capital development costs. Provision of case study examples of with and without financial performance.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Rangitata River Conservation Order : Economic Impact Analysis
CLIENT	Ashburton and Timaru District Councils
PROJECT PARTNERS
DATE	Oct 2001
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Full impact analysis, including regional flow on impacts, of changes in agricultural output caused by the proposed National Conservation Order on the Rangitata River in New Zealand.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Development of agricultural financial models to estimate output of various land use scenarios as well as on farm capital development costs. Preparation and presentation of expert evidence to the special tribunal hearings.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Regional Economic Development Strategy - Chatham Islands.
CLIENT	Chatham Islands Development Trust , Industry New Zealand
PROJECT PARTNERS	Taylor Baines and Associates, Butcher Partners Ltd
DATE	August 2002
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Development of an economic development strategy for the Chatham Islands, New Zealand.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Author of sector analysis and opportunities reports for the Farming and Fishing sectors.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Project Aqua - Assessment of Environmental Effects.
CLIENT	Meridian Energy
PROJECT PARTNERS	Butcher Partners Ltd
DATE	July 2002
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Assessment of the economic impacts on agricultural land in the path of the proposed Project Aqua project as part of the resource consent application process.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Assessment of physical and economic impacts of disruption to farming operations during construction of the Project Aqua canal and ongoing output impacts as a result of lost land and other minor impacts.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Economic Efficiency of Water Allocation - MAF Technical Paper No 2001 / 7.
CLIENT	MAFPolicy.
PROJECT PARTNERS	Butcher Partners Ltd, Opus International Consultants
DATE	2001
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	The project goal was to investigate the means of allocating water in an economically efficient manner, and the way in which water allocation can contribute to regional economic development. Recommendation was made on policy instruments that should be considered for adoption in New Zealand.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Principal author, researcher of economic theory and overseas practice, development of policy recommendations.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Beekeeper Business Opportunities.
CLIENT	National Beekeepers Association : Expanding Options for New Zealand Beekeepers Project.
PROJECT PARTNERS	Trade New Zealand
DATE	(Feb 2003).
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	A detailed analysis of market trends, products and services and future business opportunities for beekeepers as a response to the varroa incursion. Included recommendations on future opportunities with detailed business case analysis of those opportunities
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Researcher and author of the report.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Economic and Social Assessment of Community Irrigation Projects - MAF Technical Paper No 2002 / 13.
CLIENT	MAFPolicy
PROJECT PARTNERS	Taylor Baines and Associates, Butcher Partners Ltd
DATE	2002
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Determination of socio-economic parameter values for the assessment of community irrigation schemes from a multi stakeholder viewpoint. Establishment of an assessment framework and tools for determining parameter values in future ex ante studies of proposed irrigation projects.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Principal author, establishment of the assessment framework, proving the framework through an ex-post analysis of the Lower Waitaki Plains Irrigation Scheme.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	An evaluation of the extent to which current local Government rating creates a rural to urban subsidy.
CLIENT	MAFPolicy : Operations Research Project 441.
PROJECT PARTNERS	Harris Consulting Resource Economists.
DATE	Current
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	An independent study of the extent to which current local Government rating creates a rural to urban subsidy and if they do to quantify the value of that study.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Principal author. Identify and quantify cross subsidisation through cost/benefit analysis.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	The economic cost of identity preservation for selected crops in New Zealand
CLIENT	Environmental Risk Management Authority
PROJECT PARTNERS	Harris Consulting Resource Economists.
DATE	Current
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	An investigation of the costs that may arise as a result of changing agricultural farming practices and production systems if selected GM crops were released in New Zealand. The investigation is based on case study scenarios to identify the costs that should be considered in future applications for release of GM crops.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Principal author and researcher.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	Rights to take, dam use and divert water: Law Practice and Perceptions.
CLIENT	MAFPolicy
PROJECT PARTNERS	Harris Consulting Resource Economists
DATE	Current
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	A research report designed to assist understanding of the nature of property rights associated with water, particularly the nature and implications of the mismatches between actual and perceived property rights.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Research , focus group facilitation, report writing and presentation.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Stuart Ford, stuart@agribusinessgroup.com

PROJECT TITLE	STRATEGIES TO ENHANCE BIODIVERSITY ON MIXED CROPPING FARMS
CLIENT	Selwyn Sustainable Agriculture Society Ministry for the Environment's Sustainable Management Fund
PROJECT PARTNERS	Lincoln University, Heinz Wattie's Australasia Ltd, Agriculture NZ
DATE	1999 - 2003
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	This multi-stakeholder project developed crop and farm management strategies aimed at maintaining and enhancing the native and exotic biodiversity (flora, fauna and microfauna) on broad-acre mixed cropping farms in Canterbury and Gisborne. The project monitored and analysed the impact of strategies on the farm's biodiversity. Results were demonstrated to farmers and other land users. Outputs included: · A "Biodiversity on Farmland" video · Tairawhiti Conservation Quorum, Biodiversity articles including "Conserving Puha in Tairawhiti - an example of mahinga kai" · A Biodiversity farm trail of notice boards at Kowhai Farm, Heinz Watties Organic Farm at Lincoln University · A "Biodiversity on Farmland - Good Management practices" booklet
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Facilitating project activities to successfully demonstrate, monitor and transfer information on Enhancing Farm Biodiversity to farmers and industry groups. Project management and communication between the client, project funder, project liaison group, project partners and farmers.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Sue Cumberworth, sue@agribusinessgroup.com
LINKS	http://www.smf.govt.nz/ , www.lincoln.ac.nz/kowhai/

PROJECT TITLE	WAITAKERE ORGANIC CLUSTER
CLIENT	Waitakere City Council/Industry New Zealand
PROJECT PARTNERS	Waitakere Organics Cluster
DATE	2002 - 2003
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Input into the establishment and operation of a `cluster' of companies with a focus on organic products. This initiative worked with approx 50 companies to help them establish the capability to produce and market organic products.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Support for the promotion and establishment of the cluster. Group and individual company support.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Jon Manhire, jon@agribusinessgroup.com
LINKS	http://www.enterprisewaitakere.co.nz/index.cfm/Organics http://www.organiccluster.org.nz/

PROJECT TITLE	Samoa Ministry of Agriculture Forests Fisheries and Meteorology (MAFFM)- Institutional Strengthening Programme - Organic Mission to New Zealand
CLIENT	Australia Aid Funded Project
PROJECT PARTNERS	Lincoln International
DATE	February/March 2003
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Samoa Ministry of Agriculture - the organisation of a Mission to New Zealand by the Samoa Minister of Agriculture and senior MAFFFM officials to investigate the New Zealand organic sector. Followup support for market and production development.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Organisation and management of the visit. Followup support.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Jon Manhire, jon@agribusinessgroup.com
LINKS	http://www.lincoln.ac.nz/li/Countries/samoa.htm

PROJECT TITLE	Niue Organic Farming Feasibility Study
CLIENT	New Zealand Aid (MFAT)
PROJECT PARTNERS	Niue Organic Farmers Group,
DATE	2002
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Facilitation of the development of a strategic plan for the development of an organic sector in Niue. This included a review of market options and marketing strategies.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Total project delivery
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Jon Manhire, jon@agribusinessgroup.com
Links	http://www.nzaid.govt.nz/aboutus/about.html

PROJECT TITLE	ARGOS Project
CLIENT	Foundation for Research Science and Technology
PROJECT PARTNERS	Lincoln University, Otago University. The project also involves close association with industry partners eg - Zespri International, a meat company, Merino NZ Inc, Ngai Tahu
DATE	2003 - 2009
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	The project aims to investigate the pathways to sustainable agriculture - comparing economic, environmental and socio-cultural dimensions of land based production in New Zealand. Part of this project will investigate in detail the market and production issues for kiwifruit, sheep and beef, high country and Maori.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Programme Leader, research management, facilitating field research
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Jon Manhire, jon@agribusinessgroup.com
Links	http://www.frst.govt.nz/database/abstracts/Report.cfm?docNumber=1 http://www.otago.ac.nz/nzpg/csafe/index.html http://www.otago.ac.nz/nzpg/csafe/index.html

PROJECT TITLE	Sustainable Agriculture Management Systems Network
CLIENT	Sustainable Agriculture Management Systems Network (SAMSN is made up of 32 organisations including - Fonterra, Deer NZ, Zespri, NZBCSD, Vegfed, Fed Farmers, MAF, MFE, Woolpro, WINZ).
PROJECT PARTNERS
DATE	2002 - 2003
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	Background research and development of resources and a template for primary sector Sustainable Management Systems. This research includes a review of the evolution of international market demand for products with environmental attributes and the development of resources to assist companies to respond.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Full project delivery
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Jon Manhire, jon@agribusinessgroup.com Lynette Wharfe, lynette@agribusinessgroup.com
Links	http://www.maf.govt.nz/sff/about-projects/decision-management-and-learning/02121.htm

PROJECT TITLE	Executive Director - Organic Products Exporters of New Zealand Inc (OPENZ)
CLIENT	Organic Products Exporters of New Zealand Inc
PROJECT PARTNERS
DATE	1995 - current
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	This organisation represents nearly all those companies currently active in the production and marketing of organic products. Activity of the group includes market access, market development, industry development, and communication.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Organisation, operation and management of this organisation. This includes - administration eg accounts, invoicing, AGM organisation, strategic planning, market development initiatives e.g. attendance at Biofach Organic Trade Fair, Market Access - oversight of the development and implementation of the Official Organic Assurance Programme operated for the industry by the NZ Food Safety Authority.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Jon Manhire, jon@agribusinessgroup.com
LINK	Web site http://www.organicsnewzealand.org.nz/

PROJECT TITLE	Expanding Options for New Zealand beekeepers
CLIENT	MAF Sustainable Farming Fund, Honey Trusts, New Zealand Beekeepers
PROJECT PARTNERS	Beekeeping Industry
DATE	2001 - current
PROJECT DESCRIPTION	The overall goal of the project is for beekeepers to strengthen their businesses by using an expanded range of income streams so that they can survive and prosper after infection by Varroa. Healthy businesses will be able to offer better employment opportunities and continue to provide the pollination services that underpin the New Zealand agricultural economy. Sub-objectives to this overall project goal are: To provide trained and effective leaders for the beekeeping industry. To establish a financial monitoring and benchmarking service for beekeepers and associated industries and organisations. To identify and evaluate new business options. To support regional groups to facilitate the development of individual beekeeper businesses as well as to develop regional approaches to common issues.To have beekeepers trained and confident to take advantage of new options.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP ROLE	Facilitation of the development of the project, project management, some input into project delivery eg Beekeeping Opportunities Research Report.
THE AGRIBUSINESS GROUP CONTACT PERSON	Jon Manhire, jon@agribusinessgroup.com
LINKS	http://www.maf.govt.nz/sff/about-projects/beekeeping/01114bees.htm

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