Anyone growing crops, fruit trees or even grass is dependent on a reliable supply of water for their business to be viable. On the Waimea Plains, the food bowl of the Nelson region, growers have invested heavily in intensive production of high-value crops. The plains, once supporting a large number of dairy farms, are now home to market gardens, vineyards and orchards where returns per hectare far outstrip those for dairying. For example, a dairy operation on the plains could expect returns around $8,000 per hectare a year, while orchards with varieties such as Jazz?are seeing returns around $60,000 per hectare. But there's a problem. Without reliable supplies of water these businesses won't remain viable.
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