Is kiwifruit at the cutting edge? Michael Franks is the CEO of Seeka, New Zealand’s largest kiwifruit grower and a major post-harvest provider, operating 11 automated packhouses and a network of leased and managed orchards.

We trace Seeka’s strong recovery after being "brought to our knees" by the Psa virus to become a $440m trans-Tasman operation. Michael explains Seeka’s embrace of renewable energy and emerging tech, with AI helping to reduce perishable fruit waste, automation to address labour shortages and reduce costs, solar energy to supplement their industrial power usage, and rain-tolerant rootstock to meet a changing climate. 

Plus, Michael explains why a new free trade agreement with India could provide a strong safety net for New Zealand growers.

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