Colombian delegation visit Fieldays
A Colombian delegation is checking out the Fieldays looking for kiwi dairying know-how and technology that could help improve milk production in Colombia.
Kiwi dairying know-how and technology could be benefiting Central America after a Colombian delegation checks out Fieldays.
The developing relationship between the two countries was set in motion by an official visit to Colombia by NZ Prime Minister John Key and Minister for Primary Industry Nathan Guy earlier this year.
Possible links were explored, and one result is the visiting Colombian delegation: a group of four public and private sector executives involved in the dairy industry.
Their diaries are full for the week that they are here, because they have visits to dairying, cattle feed, genetics, seed companies and more to fit around Fieldays.
While there is little trade and no free-trade agreement between New Zealand and Colombia at the moment, executive director of the Colombian Milk Processors’ Association Jorge Martinez said it is a developing area.
He said the main benefits will come from joint projects taking New Zealand technology to Colombia, and support for New Zealand firms producing milk in Colombia.
His main aim at Fieldays was to hunt out technology and knowledge which made New Zealand a world leader in dairy farming, so it could be applied at home.
Speaking in Spanish, he said “It’s a very efficient model. Very efficient. Very good quality, where high-quality milk is produced at a low cost… With technology and knowledge and experience of the New Zealand model, there are lots of things which could be applied in Colombia.”
Martinez said Colombia’s dairying regions near major cities Bogota and Medellin were similar to the New Zealand countrysides: green, and with mountains and rivers nearby.
But Colombia had a very stable climate through the seasons, so could produce milk all year round.
Colombia already produces approximately 6.5 billion litres of milk per year, making it the fourth largest producer in Latin America.
Milk sales in the country have an annual value of US $2.8 billion, and food advisor for the Colombian National Association of Industries Lorena Robayo said dairy was one of the most significant food groups for the country.
New ideas and technology from Fieldays could have major benefits, and will be passed on directly to the largest companies, and integrated from there.
Robayo’s busy schedule left her little time to see New Zealand outside Mystery Creek, but she was still happy to be here.
Speaking in Spanish, she said “From what I have got to see… it’s very beautiful. Incredible landscapes, the people are very welcoming, and have received us really well, and I think Fieldays is a really good opportunity to get to know [New Zealand].”
The other associations represented in the delegation are dairying company Colanta and the Productive Transformation Program, a public-private partnership system to boost Colombian industry.
