WELLINGTON, June 2 (Xinhua) -- The New Zealand government announced on Tuesday that a new center for agricultural greenhouse gas research will be established.

    Minister of Agriculture David Carter said in the South Island city of Christchurch that the center will promote win-win technologies that both reduce emissions and improve on-farm efficiency and productivity.

    The center would be run through a host provider, such as a crown research institute or university. It would be up and running by next year.

    From next year, 5 million NZ dollars (3.2 million U.S. dollars) will be put aside annually for the new center. It will focus on ways to reduce methane and nitrous oxide emissions from farm animals and carbon from the soil.

    Carter said, at the moment 49 percent of New Zealand's emissions come from the agricultural sector. He said that is far too high if the country is to meet Kyoto Protocol requirements.

    Carter added that the center will draw resources from all around New Zealand and will link to international researches.

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