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.
Fonterra chief executive Theo Spierings said Fonterra’s work on the Dairy Development framework would focus on markets where Fonterra was building a significant consumer presence and was planning to strengthen the support it could 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,” Spierings said. “This is particularly important in developing economies where an increasing knowledge base and rising incomes sees more consumers turning to dairy products.”
The partnership would include initiatives to raise onfarm milk safety and quality standards, increase farmer productivity and profitability, build co-operative governance, improve milk collection and transport, and educational nutrition programmes with local communities.
MFAT chief executive John Allen said the goal of the framework was to enhance food security, income and nutrition in targeted developing countries through the promotion of dairy industry development and food safety and quality.
“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,” he said.
