Fonterra Collaborates with Thai Government to Enhance Dairy Farming Practices
The 3-day program, taking place at the Nakornratchashima Animal Nutrition R&D Centre, brings together New Zealand dairy experts and local farmers to explore innovative farming solutions.
Funded by New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT), Ministry of Primary Industries (MPI), Fonterra, and its ingredient arm, NZMP, the initiative focuses on sharing the extensive experience and best practices of New Zealand farmers with their Thai counterparts.
Grant Rudman, Regional Manager of Fonterra's Farm Source division, highlighted the commitment to delivering nutrition in a sustainable manner, emphasizing the value brought to communities by generations of New Zealand farmers.
This collaboration comes at a crucial time for Thailand's dairy farmers facing rising cost pressures, mirroring challenges experienced by New Zealand farmers in recent years. The program aims to address these challenges through knowledge transfer and practical on-farm interventions covering topics such as milk quality, animal husbandry, and nutrition.
The longstanding partnership between Fonterra and the Thai government has been instrumental in supporting economic growth in both countries. Thailand's export of dairy-related products has grown by 20% since 2018, with New Zealand playing a pivotal role by providing high-quality, grass-fed milk as ingredients for food manufacturing in Thailand.
H.E. Jonathan Kings, New Zealand Ambassador to Thailand, emphasized the successful collaboration that promotes economic growth and ensures a stable supply of high-quality dairy products to consumers in Thailand and globally.
The interactive program, now in its fifth year, serves as a valuable platform to promote rural entrepreneurship and contribute to Thailand's growing dairy ecosystem. The initiative aligns with Fonterra's commitment to sustainability and leaving a positive impact on the communities it serves.
About Fonterra: Fonterra is a co-operative owned and supplied by farming families in Aotearoa New Zealand, sharing the goodness of milk through innovative Consumer, Foodservice, and Ingredients brands. The company's presence in Thailand spans 30 years, contributing to the local dairy industry through trusted partnerships and quality dairy ingredients. Fonterra is dedicated to supporting communities and promoting sustainability through its operations.
