Enhancing innovation and technology transfer in the New Zealand apple industry - learnings from Apple Futures

摘要

Apple Futures was a research implementation project designed to produce export quality, ultra-low residue apples while meeting the phytosanitary requirements of over 60 countries. In 3 years from 2007/08 to 2009/10 seasons it was successfully implemented on 65% of New Zealand's export apple crop with a benefit-cost ratio of 30 times the value of the investment. The process of developing and implementing Apple Futures is the subject of a case study on co-innovation - an approach to solving complex problems that engages multiple stakeholders throughout research and extension initiatives to enhance adoption and impact. A new innovation system analysis framework was used to identify key co-innovation learnings. These included the importance of trust amongst participants, learning together, a clear agenda for change, and monitoring and evaluating progress towards that change agenda. Findings are discussed in the context of maximising impact in innovation projects in New Zealand's primary sector.