We’re changing the way we protect our crops, for the better

An opportunity arose to collaborate across the horticulture, arable and wine sectors to support growers to change their approach to crop protection towards a lighter environmental touch.

A Lighter Touch embraces a movement towards sustainable farming, working with growers and industry leaders who are on a journey towards agro-ecological crop protection, to help shift grower practices in the longer term.

Together we protect the future of the industry and maintain our social license to grow food.

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What's new

In Touch October newsletter 2025

Read the latest newsletter from A Lighter Touch.

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Upcoming Events

Onions New Zealand AGM

16 October, 2025

The Onions New Zealand (ONZ) annual general meeting (AGM) will be held on Thursday 16 October, 4pm at Navigation Homes...

Vegetable IPM Workshops (Spring 2025)

21 October, 2025

Vegetables New Zealand, in combination with A Lighter Touch and Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), Plant & Food Research group is...

NZIAHS Canterbury Forum – When Nature Fights Back

22 October, 2025

Pesticide resistance is the focus of the New Zealand Institute of Agricultural & Horticultural Science Inc (NZIAHS) 2025 Canterbury Forum...

Young Horticulturist of the Year grand final

5 November, 2025

The Young Horticulturist of the Year is an annual competition that brings together all seven sectors of horticulture.

Understory planting field walks

12 November, 2025

Learn about the benefits of a diverse orchard understory at the Summerfruit NZ and ALT understory field walks being held in Central Otago and Hawke’s Bay in November.

Cyclone Gabrielle Research Symposium

19 November, 2025

This Cyclone Gabrielle Research Symposium ‘Lessons for the management of highly productive land‘ on 19 -20 November is convened to...

Arable Research in Action (ARIA) 2025

26 November, 2025

The Foundation for Arable Research (FAR) is holding Arable Research in Action (ARIA) on Wednesday 26 November, 10:45am - 3.30pm.

Vegetables Big Day Out 2026

5 March, 2026

The Vegetables Big Day Out (VBDO) is where innovation meets the paddock. Hosted by Te Ahikawariki/VICE and A Lighter Touch,...

Enter the Ahuwhenua Trophy 2026

5 June, 2026

Entries are open for the 2026 Ahuwhenua Trophy Horticulture Competition and the Ahuwhenua Young Māori Grower Award. The competition is...

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Our Projects

Learn more about the wide range of projects that are part of the A Lighter Touch programme.

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View projects by pest and disease

In Progress

A Lighter Touch

We’re changing the way we protect our crops, for the better

What's new

In Touch October newsletter 2025

Upcoming Events

Onions New Zealand AGM

Vegetable IPM Workshops (Spring 2025)

NZIAHS Canterbury Forum – When Nature Fights Back

Young Horticulturist of the Year grand final

Understory planting field walks

Cyclone Gabrielle Research Symposium

Arable Research in Action (ARIA) 2025

Vegetables Big Day Out 2026

Enter the Ahuwhenua Trophy 2026

Our Projects

Learn more about the wide range of projects that are part of the A Lighter Touch programme.

Regulatory pathway improvement

Biologicals awareness and integration

Thrips predator efficacy testing in strawberries

Evaluating UV-C light treatment for the control of diseases in summerfruit

UV light in vineyards to reduce fungicide dependence

Bacterial disease control

Unlocking potential of organic compounds

Mealybug control in persimmons

Control of Black field cricket

Biohub information portal

Summerfruit under-canopy planting

PSA focussed projects

Arable projects

Soilborne disease control in squash

New fungicide residue trials in broad beans

Brown rot control in summerfruit

Revitalising IPM in greenhouse tomatoes

Disease control in dwarf beans and peas

Sclerotinia control in dwarf beans

Agroecological and IPM crop protection for vegetables

Brown rot control in summerfruit

Biocontrol of spinach crown mite using predatory mites

Insecticide residues for early season whitefly control in greenhouse tomatoes

Downy mildew control in spinach

Bacterial head rot control in broccoli

Thrip control in onions

Insecticide residues in summerfruit

Biopesticide regulatory case study

Biodiverse planting on vegetable farms

Soilborne disease management

Botrytis control in boysenberries

Insect pest control in citrus

Passion vine hopper (PVH) management

Biodiverse planting in perennial crops

Sclerotina control in lettuce

Green vegetable bug control options

Programme Snapshot

Project length

7

Industry funding

16243877

Start date

1

MPI funding

10829251

Estimated completion

31

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