Sustainability

Hira Bhana & Co place the utmost importance on sustainability, best practice, quality assurance, and environmental safety and have worked hard to ensure their high standards right are maintained right through the growing process so their customers can buy with confidence.

Practices such as surface water runoff management, wheel track ripping after planting, reducing cultivation via minimal tillage practices, irrigation and fertiliser management, the use of cover crops and mulching all reduce erosion and nitrogen leaching and run off. They also contribute toward increases in organic matter levels and improve soil structure.

An integrated pest management plan helps reduce the use of pesticides, while soil quality monitoring ensures that changes in quality and suitability for crops can be managed. Conserving energy and fuel, improving water efficiency and recycling waste are also considered to ensure their farming has minimal negative impact on the environment.

In 1997, Hira Bhana & Co took part in The Franklin Sustainability Project, which was set up by the Pukekohe Vegetable Growers Association and Agriculture New Zealand to test a range of sustainable land management techniques. They continue to employ these methods to ensure their farming is safe, sustainable and soil health is maintained.