Commercialisation of Tree Crops
Chestnut Grower Co-ordination
C. Leigh 19/3/1981
This report is to be read in conjunction with the report “Tree Crop Coordinator” and the report and background “Tree Crops Commercialisation” by E New. In fact it would be better to read both those reports before continuing with this.
Having read these reports you will be left in no doubt that NZTCA executives have acted exceedingly responsibly and I can say that due to this action NZTCA has gained a respectability which makes it the envy of kindred Horticultural bodies. This is all the more significant because there do not exist any grower bodies, avocado's excepted, and no exporting of any significance. It is in this atmosphere of industry sympathy for the whole horticultural scene and especially for NZTCA that I would like to make these suggestions for the development of a Chestnut grower group. Other grower groups would naturally be formed as an evolutionary trend.
There is a large unsatisfied enquiry for Chestnut information from the curious, and the not to well concealed big speculative investors. Obviously there is money around and alarmingly a lot of money is available for development in a pioneer crop that could equal Kiwifruit's earnings. The speculators are looking for "the" crop to develop on land that is strictly valued as grazing properties.
This speculative push is the worst and probably the hardest to contend with. I confess that I feel NZTCA must take some responsibility for it. I feel it is important to call together a chestnut interest group quickly so that all interested can have time to read the material so ably prepared on the need for a coordinated industry.
Once a grower group or groups have been formed then a dialogue with the other facets can be called serious. Until that time I think that much of the high ideas may be completely wasted.
It has been stressed elsewhere and I fully endorse the move to keep NZTCA an autonomous body, bubbling with self motivated, high interest and above all enthusiastic people. The grower groups would compliment the national body by of course providing the greatest degree of NZ experience.
There is a high number of members of NZTCA who do not continue their interest, or subscriptions after one or two years. Grower groups would satisfy some of these members and help to retain them. No matter how much forward planning is contemplated with any crop, the action lies in the bands of the growers. By action I mean the ultimate responsibility for the well doing of the crop. And responsibility is the name of the game. Responsibility can only be elevated to a total sense by education and awareness applied to novice growers right through to marketers and Govt. Depts. involved.
To the 4 basic questions that all tree croppers ask:
1. What shall I plant?
2. Where can I get it?
3. What will it cost? and
4. When will it bear?
Let me say that grower interest groups will bring more positive answers than ever before.
In conclusion then, I believe that the members of the National Executive and others of NZTCA have by their enthusiasm created an Information vacuum, I believe that the time is ripe for Grower groups to be formed especially chestnuts. I believe that these groups should be the commercial arm of the NZTCA in practice and that NZTCA will still remain the wonderful groups of enthusiastic tree loving people. Without the existence of grower groups the sympathy that NZTCA has created with Government Researcher, advisory, and educational departments may well be lost.
The name of the game into the 80's is export to survive.