Direct Management Services (DMS) is prepared to cover the costs of kiwifruit orchardists in New Zealand who want to switch production from Hort16A to another gold variety, G3, which is more resistant to bacterial vine disease Psa.
The Bay of Plenty Times has reported that the post-harvest operator and orchardist will hold an information evening on 10 April at which it will reveal more details about the 'conversion lease' programme it believes can be a profitable venture.
DMS director Paul Jones said: "DMS is so confident in the future potential of this variety, we are going to spend our own money to help growers convert their orchards to G3."
Jones told the newspaper that Psa, which has been found in orchards covering 70 per cent of New Zealand's total planted area for kiwifruit, will never be eradicated and because of this the Hort16A variety has no future.
