Welcome to ARGOS
The ARGOS Research Programme
The Agricultural Research Group on Sustainability (ARGOS) is an unincorporated joint venture between the Agribusiness Group, Lincoln University, and the University of Otago, with some other partners such as Landcare Research and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (formerly MSI (Ministry of Science & Innovation) and formerly FRST (Foundation for Research, Science and Technology)) and various industry stakeholders and commenced in October 2003. ARGOS has a mandate to examine the environmental, social and economic sustainability of New Zealand farming systems.
A better understanding of the environmental effects, and the social and economic consequences of different farming practices will help New Zealanders and their land-use systems achieve more appropriate and enduring accommodations with the New Zealand environment as well as continue to satisfy the demands of market and community stakeholders.
The goal of the ARGOS research is to facilitate innovation and improved performance in primary production systems.
ARGOS Project Background
Commercial Partners for ARGOS 1 & 2.1/2.2 are:
The Agricultural Research Group on Sustainability (ARGOS) is an unincorporated joint venture between the Agribusiness Group, Lincoln University, and the University of Otago, with some other partners such as Landcare Research and Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu. It is funded by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment (formerly MSI (Ministry of Science & Innovation) and formerly FRST (Foundation for Research, Science and Technology)) and various industry stakeholders and commenced in October 2003. ARGOS has a mandate to examine the environmental, social and economic sustainability of New Zealand farming systems.
A better understanding of the environmental effects, and the social and economic consequences of different farming practices will help New Zealanders and their land-use systems achieve more appropriate and enduring accommodations with the New Zealand environment as well as continue to satisfy the demands of market and community stakeholders.
The goal of the ARGOS research is to facilitate innovation and improved performance in primary production systems.
ARGOS Project Background
- ARGOS 1 (2003-2009) - comparison of farming systems: organic, integrated, conventional. 100 farms. Transdisciplinary research.
- ARGOS 2.1 (2009-2011)- pathways to resilient farming: use data from ARGOS 1 to look at resilience of farms and farming systems.
- ARGOS 2.2 (2011-2012) - drivers, demands and responses: clarify sustainability assessment and reporting drivers and responsiveness.
- NZSD - The New Zealand Sustainability Dashboard project (2012 - 2018) is a 6 years project funded by MBIE and industry partners.
- SLMACC (Sustainable Land Management and Climate Change) (2012-2014) - ARGOS is involved in a small part of this overall project through the `Evaluating Intensification Trajectories in the Context of Climate Change project.
Commercial Partners for ARGOS 1 & 2.1/2.2 are:
- Sheep/Beef: CMP/ANZCO, MAF SFF
- High Country: Merino New Zealand Inc, NZ Merino Co
- Kiwifruit: Zespri International
- Maori: Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu
- Dairy: Fonterra