Dr Jacqueline Rowarth: Lincoln University Adjunct Professor on the viability of growing rice in New Zealand

The Mike Hosking Breakfast

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2d ago 3:32

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Is it worth trying to grow rice in New Zealand?

As our appetite for the staple crop increases, ecologist Yuki Fukada has pointed out the complete lack of commercial rice production in the country.

We’re currently importing $95 million worth of rice from overseas – about 85,000 tons.

Lincoln University’s Dr Jacqueline Rowarth told Mike Hosking Fukada is looking at it in terms of volume, but she thinks we should be looking at value instead.

Rice is a $2 a kilo crop, Rowarth says, and if we can grow something of a higher value we should stick with that instead of replacing it with rice.

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