Many of the inputs used in food and fibre production are becoming increasingly scarce. So how do we continue to feed and clothe the world, without depleting finite resources? It’s a question at the centre of much agritech innovation, and one our scientists grapple with daily.
Peter Barrowclough talks with Yuval Aviel, Co-Founder & CEO of Israeli company Autonomous Pivot, and Ian Woodhead, Lincoln Agritech’s Chief Scientist, about one example of innovating to overcome water scarcity.
Beyond Number 8
Kiwis are proud of their Number 8 wire mentality – their ability to innovate with the most basic materials, including the ubiquitous fencing wire. But in the 21st century, science and technology have provided tools we never imagined, opening up new horizons for primary sector innovation.
In this series, Lincoln Agritech looks at the challenges and opportunities ahead of our agritech sector. Where is it headed? What opportunities beckon? And how can we make sure New Zealand agritech is ready and able to take advantage of them?
Senior Lincoln Agritech staff lead discussions with industry and political leaders, looking at the issues, and discussing how we innovate beyond Number 8.
To find out more about Lincoln Agritech, visit www.lincolnagritech.co.nz
Peter Barrowclough is the CEO of Lincoln Agritech Ltd. He has more than 30 years of experience at the interface of science and business with multiple roles in the private and public sectors. He is currently a Director of the biotech start-up CertusBio.
Past Governance roles in the public sector include; Deputy Chair of the Canterbury Development Corporation Ltd (CDC) for 9 years. He was a Director on several CDC subsidiaries including; Canterbury Regional Innovation System Ltd, and NZ Food Innovation South Island Ltd. While at Crop and Food Research Ltd he was a Director of Crop and Food Australia Pty Ltd. Private sector Directorships included Managing Director of Southern Wasabi Ltd, Director of several of PGG Wrightson research partnership subsidiaries, and Scitox Ltd.
Past employment roles include: Research and Development Manager for PGG Wrightson Seeds; Crop Seed Manager followed by General Manager Business Development at Crop and Food Research; National Business Incubator Development Manager at Industry NZ (now NZTE) where he was instrumental in establishing the business incubator network in NZ; and Founder and Managing Director of Southern Wasabi Ltd the first company to pioneer exports of wasabi from NZ to Japan. Export Manager at D M Palmer Ltd. He has an honours degree in Horticultural Science from Lincoln University.
Peter is passionate about the role of science and technology in increasing the nation’s wealth. Agriculture is in his blood, and he lives on a small lifestyle block just outside Christchurch city where he also grows 3000 Hazelnut trees.