Evaluation kiwi research program New Zealand

The kiwi research program is New Zealand’s largest public-private partnership (PPP). In this PPP, Zespri and the Crown Institute Plant & Food Research work closely together to develop new, robust kiwi varieties that are suitable for production, transport, and marketing worldwide. Stefan van der Heijden contributed as an expert to the review of this research program. This review was performed with an international team of experts in the field of phytopathology, plant physiology, and new breeding methods such as gene editing and genomic selection. The review has led to a set of recommendations to strengthen the breeding program and to better measure the results. As a result, the collaboration has expanded, both in the field of research and in the field of practical breeding, in a 50/50 joint venture.