Philippine Ambassador to New Zealand, Virginia Benavidez, and the officers and members of the Dairy Confederation of the Philippines and the Batangas Dairy Cooperative, met with Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, and National Dairy Authority Administrator Grace Cenas recently on the domestic dairy industry.

Benavidez said many Filipinos employed in the dairy industry of New Zealand are interested in setting up dairy farms in the Philippines and sharing their knowledge and experience, particularly on dairy production technology and pasture management, a press release from DA said.

Alcala, meanwhile, underscored the thrust of the Department of Agriculture to upgrade the country's dairy sector in partnership with the various local stakeholders and major dairy industry players like New Zealand.

Possible areas of cooperation between the Philippines and New Zealand and issues affecting the domestic dairy industry, including the drafting of a comprehensive industry roadmap, were also discussed, the press release said.

There are approximately 6,000-8,000 Filipino dairy workers employed in farms across New Zealand, it added.*

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