Protein Future Scenarios

The AgriBusiness Group is delighted to advise funding success for Our Land and Water, research project, 'Protein Future Scenarios'

Lead by Jon Manhire in collaboration with:

• Dr Christopher Rosin (Lincoln University),

• Dr John Reid (Ngai Tahu Research Centre, Canterbury University),

• Prof Hugh Campbell (University of Otago),

• Dr Simon Barber (University of Otago),

• Assoc Prof MIranda MIrosa (University of Otago),

• Professor Rob Burton (Ruralis, Tondheim Norway)

• Prof Klaus Mittenzwei (Ruralis, Trondheim, Norway).

The research programme will run from July 2022 to December 2023.

Protein Future Scenarios

Increasing global interest and demand for alternative or plant-based protein has many implications for Aotearoa New Zealand. These may be positive (a potential decrease in GHGs and nutrient runoff, the establishment of new markets for new products) and negative (disruption to the economics of milk and meat products). This research programme will develop scenarios for plausible future states associated with the impact of ‘new proteins', and model the economic, land use, and environmental implications. The methodology will be shared with a Norwegian project. Findings will contribute to the identification of best practices for the plant-based protein sector. The research will include a comprehensive assessment of a potential Māori protein economy. The goal of this research is for New Zealand to more effectively respond to the impacts and opportunities associated with the growth in demand and production of new proteins.

Twenty new research projects have been funded by Our Land and Water (Toitu te Whenua, Toiora te Wai) following a contestable funding round. Five new research programmes will run until December 2023, and 15 smaller ‘think piece' projects will be completed by early 2022. Click here to read about all the projects.