Partnership to advance dairy production in developing countries

Fonterra has announced an agreement with the NZ Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to help developing countries build viable dairy industries and increase dairy nutrition knowledge.

The partnership - Framework for International Development in Dairy Excellence - will develop initiatives to enhance food security, knowledge and nutrition in emerging markets with relatively underdeveloped dairy industries and help build economically viable farm systems with a focus on food safety and quality.

“New Zealand and our dairy industry have an important, global role to play in promoting dairy as a source of good nutrition and helping developing economies meet local demand for dairy products,” said Fonterra CEO Theo Spierings.

Through the partnership, Fonterra will focus on markets where the company is building a significant consumer presence and is seeking to strengthen the support it can provide local dairy farmers and communities.

Activities to be undertaken by the partnership will include initiatives to:

• raise on-farm milk safety and quality standards;
• increase farmer productivity and profitability;
• build cooperative governance;
• improve milk collection and transport; and
• establish educational nutrition programs with local communities.

“The goal of this framework is to enhance food security, income and nutrition in targeted developing countries by promoting dairy industry development and food safety and quality,” said MFAT CEO John Allen.

“New Zealand is one of the best-performing agricultural nations in the world. That is why MFAT is seeking to use its expertise and innovation and that of Fonterra’s to bring about development solutions.”