Brothers Turn Dairy Dream Into Reality
Source: dairynews.today
Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamoj arrived in New Zealand as teenagers with little more than ambition and a willingness to work hard. Fourteen years later, the brothers own a dairy farm supplying Fonterra, milking 1,200 cows on a 348-hectare property in Canterbury.
The pair, originally fr om northern India, have been recognized as standout figures in the industry, with their rise culminating in winning the 2021 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year award.
“Their journey is a testament to dedication and perseverance,” said Fonterra regional representative Adam Winter. “What they have achieved is inspiring.”
Raised on a modest 10-hectare farm in India, Kumar and Kamoj were familiar with small-scale dairy farming but had no initial plans to enter the industry in New Zealand. Upon arriving, Kumar studied horticulture while Kamoj pursued business management in Tauranga. Their exposure to local dairy farms through part-time work in kiwifruit orchards sparked an interest in the sector.
Curious to learn more, the brothers turned to online resources like YouTube to study New Zealand’s dairy practices. Their first hands-on experience came in Wairarapa, wh ere they started as farm assistants before progressing to contract milking and eventually securing sharemilking roles across multiple farms.
Their business acumen and willingness to adapt saw them expand their operations. In Ashburton, they entered a 50:50 sharemilking agreement on a 530-hectare, 2,100-cow farm owned by Richard and Chrissie Wright. This partnership paved the way for their own farm purchase, facilitated through a structured buyout agreement within their sharemilking business.
“We couldn’t afford a large farm outright, but with strategic planning and hard work, we found a way to scale up while maintaining ownership ambitions,” Kamoj said.
Now entrenched in the dairy industry, the brothers emphasize the importance of being part of a cooperative network. “We are proud to contribute to producing the world’s best quality milk while ensuring high standards for animal welfare and environmental sustainability,” Kumar said.
Their story underscores the opportunities within New Zealand’s dairy sector for those willing to embrace challenges and innovate. “Support from the co-op and our industry peers has been invaluable. If we need advice, help is just a phone call away,” Kamoj added.
“Their journey is a testament to dedication and perseverance,” said Fonterra regional representative Adam Winter. “What they have achieved is inspiring.”
Raised on a modest 10-hectare farm in India, Kumar and Kamoj were familiar with small-scale dairy farming but had no initial plans to enter the industry in New Zealand. Upon arriving, Kumar studied horticulture while Kamoj pursued business management in Tauranga. Their exposure to local dairy farms through part-time work in kiwifruit orchards sparked an interest in the sector.
Curious to learn more, the brothers turned to online resources like YouTube to study New Zealand’s dairy practices. Their first hands-on experience came in Wairarapa, wh ere they started as farm assistants before progressing to contract milking and eventually securing sharemilking roles across multiple farms.
Their business acumen and willingness to adapt saw them expand their operations. In Ashburton, they entered a 50:50 sharemilking agreement on a 530-hectare, 2,100-cow farm owned by Richard and Chrissie Wright. This partnership paved the way for their own farm purchase, facilitated through a structured buyout agreement within their sharemilking business.
“We couldn’t afford a large farm outright, but with strategic planning and hard work, we found a way to scale up while maintaining ownership ambitions,” Kamoj said.
Now entrenched in the dairy industry, the brothers emphasize the importance of being part of a cooperative network. “We are proud to contribute to producing the world’s best quality milk while ensuring high standards for animal welfare and environmental sustainability,” Kumar said.
Their story underscores the opportunities within New Zealand’s dairy sector for those willing to embrace challenges and innovate. “Support from the co-op and our industry peers has been invaluable. If we need advice, help is just a phone call away,” Kamoj added.
