Potatoes New Zealand has launched the Sustainable Vegetable Systems (SVS) Tool, an innovative solution designed to enhance sustainability practices within the vegetable farming industry, at a ceremony at Plant & Food Research in Lincoln on Friday, 2 August.
The SVS Tool is a nitrogen budgeting tool developed in collaboration with leading agricultural experts, environmental scientists and industry partners. The tool aims to provide growers with comprehensive evidence-based decision support to optimise their nitrogen management practices. By utilising this tool, growers can reduce environmental impact, increase efficiency, and promote sustainable agricultural practices.
The SVS Tool was officially launched by Associate Minister of Agriculture (Horticulture) Nicola Grigg who said: “It was wonderful to officially launch the SVS tool and celebrate the hard work of many through the development of this technology. I see the opportunities and benefits of this tool as a remarkable example of what may be achieved through collaboration, innovation and science. Congratulations to everyone involved.”
The Sustainable Vegetable Systems project began in 2019, arising from the scarcity of data on vegetable nitrogen flows, particularly in crop rotation systems and a need to sustainably support growers. Over a three-year period, nitrogen flow data rates using varieties of fertiliser was measured through a selection of representative vegetable crop rotations at Plant & Food Research sites in Lincoln and Hawke’s Bay. This work and data produced laid the foundation for the SVS tool.
These experiments were reproduced regionally across New Zealand with increasing engagement with growers to provide valuable insights into vegetable nitrogen optimisation. The project consolidated data from various sources and stakeholders with key inputs from Plant & Food Research modellers, plant and soil scientists. The SVS model was built to help support growers’ nitrogen use decision making through scientific knowledge, databased decision systems and practical support.
With key features including real-time data analysis, customised support, and environmental impact reports, the tool will greatly benefit on-farm decision-making, says SVS Programme Manager Andrew Barber. “The SVS Tool integrates nitrogen planning with soil testing, progressively overriding modelled predictions with measured results. The real time data and personalised guidance will help make more informed decisions, ultimately improving performance and reducing environmental impact.”
This is a highly collaborative project of key vegetable groups with an aim to develop a decision support tool using an integrated data set based on real world practices that are robust, trusted and reflect industry practice. Key industry players included Potatoes New Zealand, Vegetables Research and Innovation, Vegetables New Zealand, Process Vegetables NZ, NZ Buttercup Squash Council, Onions New Zealand, Horticulture New Zealand, Plant & Food Research, and the Ministry for Primary Industries provided government investment.
Plant & Food Research Business Manager of the programme Miriam Hall says the tool is “world leading”. “Creating data-based decision modelling tools from collaboration with a variety of stakeholders is critical to support growers. Plant & Food Research is proud of being part of this project to help shape the New Zealand vegetable industry to a sustainable future.”
Potatoes New Zealand Chief Executive Kate Trufitt says the tool represents a significant advancement in their efforts to promote sustainable farming practices. “By equipping our growers with cutting-edge technology and actionable insights, we are taking a major step towards a more sustainable and resilient agricultural future.”
