Press Release - 15 January 2007
Complementary Crop Field Day
Kiwifruit growers earn extra returns from growing Ginseng as a complementary
crop.
A field day at Tauranga next week will show Kiwifruit growers from Waikato
and Bay of Plenty how to add to their returns by growing Ginseng as a companion
crop.
The field day is being hosted by Ginseng Growers Ltd, which has pioneered the cultivation of American Ginseng in New Zealand with more than 160 hectares under shade cloth at Pyes Pa and Omanawa, near Tauranga, and at Fitzgerald Glade, near Rotorua.
Managing director Mal Singh said the field day would be of greatest interest to Kiwifruit growers planning new orchards or expanding existing plantings.
In the last year the company has been trialing ways to improve germination rates, crop yield, harvesting methods, and growing methods for the herb, which is widely used throughout Asia and in western health foods, supplements, and cosmetics. The company through a subsidiary has developed its own range of neutraceutical product and cosmetics.
"Part of our research has involved exploring the practicality of growing Kiwifruit and Ginseng as companion crops," he said.
"The two actually grow well together. Ginseng needs shade, which a Kiwifruit orchard provides. "A Ginseng crop harvested at four years would provide additional returns before a new Kiwifruit orchard came into full production."
Mr Singh said next Thursday's field day (18 January) would present the results of Ginseng Growers Ltd trials.
A demonstration Kiwifruit orchard laid out for Ginseng planting would be on show and details of Ginseng cultivation would be presented.
Prior bookings for the field day were essential as numbers had to be limited,
Mr Singh said.
All Media Enquiries:
Mark Richardson
Phone: +64 9 415 0995
Email: ginseng@talktactics.com