NZ agricultural innovation on show in Colombia

Tru-Test, Gallagher, ISL Animal Health and Livestock Improvement Corporation showcased their world-leading pasture-based farming technologies, while we talked about the opportunities for agricultural training available in New Zealand.

“It was another great opportunity for the NZ Inc team based in Santiago to work together,” said ENZ’s Market Development Manager Javiera Visedo.

“I was able to talk with prospective students for the agriculture sector who were thinking about where to study and having New Zealand companies and technology there really answered the question of ‘why New Zealand?’."

“Now that I have participated in this event for the first time, I hope that next time we can have a couple of institutions along that can talk with students face-to-face,” said Javiera.

NZTE’s Trade Commissioner responsible for Colombia, Rhianon Berry said the goal of the expo was to show local producers how New Zealand’s agricultural innovation can be an important ally to increase productivity and efficiency in Colombian pastures.

"In recent years, Colombia has aroused the significant interest of New Zealand companies due to its great potential for doing business in the agricultural sector, in particular in the conversion of pastures into proteins, an area in which New Zealand has extensive knowledge," explains Berry.

New Zealand is experiencing a significant period of growth in numbers of Colombian students coming here to study. In the year to date student visas issued have increased by 120 percent, with the majority of the increase occurring in the PTE sector which accounts for 79 percent of all Colombian students who come to New Zealand.