How do you respond to an increasingly demanding bagged salad market while farming sustainably? With our upcoming Gisborne Covered Production (GCP), we’re aiming to do just that.
In October 2019, we secured a $15 million loan from Kānoa Regional Economic Development and Investment Unit to help fund the construction of our facility. It’s set to be 11 hectares in total and completely covered, meaning crops can be grown there all year round in rain or shine.
But why build a covered plot in the first place? Simply put, the Gisborne Covered Farming Production project will let us grow crops faster and more sustainably too. Growing produce under cover means we can mitigate bad weather and grow more consistent supply as a result, not to mention securing more jobs at our Gisborne plot throughout the year.
This innovative greenhouse technology is set to revolutionise the way we farm in the future, serving as an example for all of New Zealand. It’ll significantly reduce fertiliser and water usage as well as protecting soil structure, making it one of our most sustainable and ambitious farming projects yet!
Want to watch us bring the GCP to life and keep tabs on how we’re farming for a healthier future? Keep checking our stories section for regular updates on the project.
