Biodiversity economics is a cross-sector project funded by A Lighter Touch to find out the commercial implications of investing in biodiversity. 

The project takes a cost-benefit analysis approach to the practice of on-farm biodiversity, with the goal of creating a model that has the potential to be adapted for use across crops, production systems and regions. 

ALT will work with Lincoln University and Bioeconomy Science Institute (BSI), Plant and Food Research group on five project components:  

• Farm level modelling to be constructed based on a Te Puke kiwifruit orchard, and four-crop rotation farms in Canterbury and a North Island site
  
• Development of the cost-benefit analysis framework
• A literature view of international research into potential values of beneficial biodiversity, relevant to IPM and on-farm biodiversity enhancement
• Data generation to quantify how biodiverse plantings support biological control of pests
• Extension workshops to share learnings and tools with growers, advisors and others in the industry. 

Once developed, the model will allow growers investigating the economic impact of a biodiversity investment to get answers based on their specific situation.