‘Share farming’ for the digital age

An Aussie company wants to jump the ditch and sell shares in New Zealand farms.

Invest In Farming Co-operative (IIF) has been wooing patrons at Fieldays in the Innovations hub with an idea that has already launched in Australia.

IIF has been in business for two years and this is its first year at Fieldays.

Standing in the Innovation Hub, IIF marketing manager Elliott Kraa explained the approach. “We provide the farmer with capital at the start of the season, and they have that cash flow to use throughout the season, rather than having to wait until they harvest themselves and get paid at the end”.

IIf, which launches in New Zealand over the next four months, promotes an app which farmers use to communicate with investors.

Kraa said being at Fieldays was key to understanding the differences between the New Zealand and Australian market – and getting name recognition. “From the farming perspective, we invest in a portion of what a farmer grows, before they grow it.”

He called it share farming for the digital age.

“Everyday people can become investors. One might buy an apple tree on a farm; they might buy some blueberries on another farm. So, they build a diverse farm out of their own pocket with this app from farms around the country.”

“We take on all the risk for the portion we invest in. It’s a cash flow tool and a risk flow of our management tool for our farmers. The way we provide that capital is through consumers”

And he says it provides people an opportunity to invest in agriculture without owning a farm.

“It’s through an app but the assets are real assets being grown on a farm”

“The farmers can send video and image updates throughout the season and when they harvest and sell, the profiters share the investment”