The economic contribution of four biotechnologies to New Zealand's primary sector

Abstract

Although the economic benefits to the primary sector of biotechnology are recognised, they have not to date been measured. This report begins to fill this gap in our understanding by estimating the economic contribution of biotechnology to the primary sector in New Zealand. The research focused on commercialised applications of four biotechnologies across the whole primary sector. Data were collected through surveying key informants about the production impacts of the technology, the available alternatives to biotechnological innovations, and the rates at which innovations had been adopted by primary producers.