2023 Earle Lecture

Public lecture: Technological change for horticulture in response to climate change and the pandemic

Julian Heyes

Recent seasons have been among the worst ever for horticulture in New Zealand. Climate-related disasters and the Covid-19 pandemic have created problems with production, harvesting, grading, and supply chains, leading to unusual shortages of fresh produce around New Zealand.

Julian Heyes will describe how these pressures are leading to technological change. New technologies are reducing food waste, improving yields, reducing harvest labour and increasing grading and storage efficiency, thus improving both nutrition and profitability.

Food ranks among the most fundamental of needs: technological advance must respond to the impacts of the total environment in which food is produced, processed, distributed and made available to individuals.

Julian Heyes has just retired from Massey University as Professor of Postharvest Technology, having led the School of Food and Advanced Technology from 2018 to 2023.