National offers farmers another $13m a year to adopt more environmentally friendly methods

National will give farmers another $13 million a year to adopt more environmentally friendly methods.

Leader Bill English said a fund for sustainability farming, now called the Future of Farming Fund, would get $20m a year if National was in government - up from $7m a year.

It would help farmers and food growers to develop technology such as soil sensors and plants with higher yields.

PM Bill English said a fund for sustainability farming, now called the Future of Farming Fund, would get $20m a year if National was in government - up from the current $7m a year. Photo / Nick Reed

Speaking at a horticulture factory near Levin, English said National's co-operative approach was a contrast to Labour's policies, in particular its water tax.

"We want to work with you, they want to punish you," he said.

National also set a target of growing the agritech sector to $6 billion by 2025.