Fonterra and New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) will help developing countries build viable dairy industries and increase dairy nutrition knowledge.
Under the partnership called the Framework for International Development in Dairy Excellence, both organizations will seek to 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.
Fonterra will focus on markets where it is building a significant consumer presence and is seeking to strengthen the support it can provide local dairy farmers and communities.
“We’ve been dairy farming and processing for over a hundred years, and sharing that expertise with others ensures a strong reputation for dairy quality and safety globally,” said CEO Theo Spierings.
“This is particularly important in developing economies where an increasing knowledge base and rising incomes sees more consumers turning to dairy products.”
The activities 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 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.
