The New Zealand government should combat urban sprawl and convert inefficient farmlands for fruit and vegetable production to address the nation's dwindling land availability and rising food demand. The conclusions were part of a report by Horticulture New Zealand, which also said vertical farming was not the solution to the country's problems. "The evidence is clear that there are better ways to grow food, including growing crops in buildings or on rooftops," Agriculture Minister David Parker said.
The New Zealand government should combat urban sprawl and convert inefficient farmlands for fruit and vegetable production to address the nation's dwindling land availability and rising food demand. The conclusions were part of a report by Horticulture New Zealand, which also said vertical farming was not the solution to the country's problems. It cited high energy, investment and operational costs, as well as limits on the kinds of crops best suited to the system, but said it could be economically viable in the future.