What will the city eat, when the city has ‘eaten’ the country’s elite growing soils?

Pukekohe’s elite soils and location are irreplaceable, HortNZ and vegetable growers believe.

Finite resource
“About one-third of all countryside living sites occupy elite or prime land. This means large parts of this finite resource have already been taken out of production, or have their productivity significantly reduced.”

Pukekohe soils and their location are irreplaceable, and should they be lost New Zealand’s year-round supply of vegetables such as potatoes, onions, carrots and lettuce would be seriously impacted.

“At the hearings I was asked why we couldn’t grow vegetables somewhere else, such as Northland. And while we could, we couldn’t do it as well because nowhere else in the country can replace the unique combinations of soils, climate and location which we have at Pukekohe.

Future generations
“Once developed, this land is gone forever and it cannot be replaced. Pukekohe growers and I are very concerned at this loss and the impact for future generation in the vegetable industry.”

Bharat says there are areas of Pukekohe not well suited to horticulture and vegetable growing, and these should be earmarked for subdivision, while the elite soils are protected.

Having houses right on the boundary of a market garden is not ideal for either party.

“Our relationship with our urban neighbours is generally very good. They are understanding of our operation and in turn we try to be as considerate as we can of their needs, including timing the spread of lime, spraying of chemicals and use of harvesting machinery to cause the least disruption.”

But not all urban neighbours enjoy being in close proximity to food production and this can be extremely difficult to manage.

The yellow flowers of mustard, grown as a cover crop between production crops, make a striking addition to the Pukekohe landscape.

Economic contribution
Bharat says any further reduction in the areas of elite and prime land available for production will reduce the total economic contribution of the area, and reduce security of food supply.

“In my view it is sensible and in accordance with sustainable management, to exercise some control on factors which will restrain rural production activities, or displace them entirely,” Bharat told the hearings.

He’s also concerned about food safety and food security. “As an isolated country, we do not want to be reliant on imported produce where food integrity cannot be guaranteed.

“We need to produce good quality, affordable fresh food for New Zealanders. This season’s potato shortage is a good example of the importance of food security.

“Increased demand and low supply creates price spikes that impact on low-income families who rely on potatoes as a cost-effective healthy food source.”

Bharat is a third generation grower and co-owner of Jivan Produce Ltd, which farms on 250ha of land growing mainly onion and potatoes, but also lettuce.

It’s hard work, even with the use of modern machinery, and profit margins are tight – including this season with a global glut of onions creating low demand for New Zealand produce.

Pumpkins are among the crops grown at Pukekohe.

Succession planning
Succession planning for some growers is a concern because their children don’t appear interested in taking on the family business, but Bharat says most growers would prefer to see their land sold to other gardeners, than for urban development.

However, if not protected under council or government regulation, the land’s potential to be developed for housing increases its value and so its rates, in effect rating growers out of business.

“Something has to happen. These soils have to be protected. We need to take the long-term, not the short-term view.”