Integrated fruit production in the New Zealand pipfruit industry

The New Zealand Kellogg Rural Leaders Programme develops emerging agribusiness leaders to help shape the future of New Zealand agribusiness and rural affairs. Lincoln University has been involved with this leaders programme since 1979 when it was launched with a grant from the Kellogg Foundation, USA.The Integrated Fruit Production (IFP) programme for pipfruit began in New Zealand in 1996 and by 2001, 100% of export fruit was being produced under IFP. New Zealand IFP guidelines were developed from IOBC principles and matched carefully to local production conditions. The rapid rate of implementing the guidelines was largely attributable to the industry’s strong reliance on export markets and the legislated single seller status operating at the time. The implementation of IFP has lead to a 95% reduction in the use of organophosphate insecticides, and a 50% reduction in overall insecticide use. The use of dithiocarbamate fungicides that are disruptive to integrated mite control programmes has been reduced by 50%, and there has been a considerable reduction in the use of residual herbicides. This report looks briefly at the history of IFP and describes both the process of implementation and benefits achieved from the introduction of IFP to the New Zealand pipfruit industry