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The food and fibre sector is critical to New Zealand’s future. It is diverse and sophisticated in its responses to global market and environmental forces.  Given the wide variety of products and opportunities across the sector, the rapid growth of precision farming technologies, artificial intelligence, automation, and the multitude of different roles needed, what does the workforce look like now and how is it likely to evolve?

As New Zealand firms embrace innovation and new technology to enhance their profitability and productivity, the workforce will also adapt. This will involve combining traditional agricultural knowledge with cutting-edge technologies to build a resilient and sustainable future for the food and fibre sector. Continuous education and training will play a crucial role in preparing the workforce for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.

MPI understands the changes that the food and fibre sector is facing. We also know that the New Zealand population is both aging and becoming more urbanised. To meet the challenges and opportunities of today – and tomorrow – the industry needs to attract, retain, and upskill people from diverse backgrounds who bring extra capabilities to the sector. Recently, MPI took a closer look at how different parts of the food and fibre workforce have already changed.   So, what conclusions can be drawn from this and what does it mean for the future in this space?

Join us to hear from Richard Lynch who will present MPI’s take on what the food and fibre workforce might look like in the future.

Tuesday 23rd April

 4.00pm - 5.30pm

B.linc Workshop, Lincoln University

We hope to see you there!

Timings

4.00pm -     Networking and Drinks
4.15pm -     Presentation from Keynote
4:45pm -     Q&A Session
5.00pm -     Networking
5.30pm -     Event finishes

About Our Speakers

Dr Richard Lynch

Richard is a Principal Advisor in the Primary Sector Workforce Policy team at the Ministry for Primary Industries.

A key focus of his work is to oversee both the data analysis and policy advice so that New Zealand’s food and fibre sector has the workforce it needs now, and in the future, for the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.  This has included establishing a food and fibre workforce website and developing future forecasts of workforce needs for the food and fibre sector.  The team also provides a wide range of advice on issues which affect our workforce including workforce issues such as advice on vocational education and immigration settings.

Richard grew up on a dairy farm in the Manawatu and has a PhD in Agriculture Economics.

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