New Zealand Delegation Visits Gujarat to Strengthen Ties in Agriculture, Dairy, Tourism, and Culture

A delegation from New Zealand, led by Agriculture, Forestry, and Trade Minister Todd McClay, along with New Zealand’s High Commissioner to India, Patrick Rata, visited Gujarat. The group of nine members met with Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel in Gandhinagar to discuss strengthening partnerships between Gujarat and New Zealand in various sectors.

Focus Areas of the Visit:
The New Zealand delegation expressed a keen interest in enhancing cooperation with Gujarat in agriculture, dairy industry, renewable energy, tourism, and cultural exchanges. During the meeting, Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel highlighted that under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, India-New Zealand relations have grown significantly, and Gujarat is eager to further develop these bilateral ties.

Agriculture and Dairy Sector Collaboration:
The Chief Minister shared his vision of doubling farmers’ income in Gujarat through cow-based farming. He also emphasized starting a “Farmer Exchange Program” between Gujarat and New Zealand. New Zealand is a leader in dairy technology, and the Chief Minister discussed how Gujarat could benefit from this technology to further develop its dairy sector. The delegation also expressed interest in holding regular meetings and workshops to support innovative thinking among rural women.

Renewable Energy and Other Collaborations:
Gujarat is a leading state in milk production, renewable energy, green hydrogen, and electric vehicles. The Chief Minister expressed Gujarat’s eagerness to collaborate with New Zealand in these areas. Additionally, the Chief Minister talked about the hardworking Gujarati community living in New Zealand and the importance of strengthening cultural ties between the two regions.

Tourism and Cultural Exchanges:
Chief Minister Bhupendra Patel encouraged New Zealand tourists to visit Gujarat’s popular attractions, such as the Statue of Unity, the white desert of Kutch (Rann Utsav), and Gir Forest. Minister Todd McClay showed enthusiasm for bringing more delegations from New Zealand to Gujarat to explore opportunities in the dairy and cooperative sectors.

Future Possibilities:
The delegation discussed collaborating with the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) and shared experiences on how to increase milk production through value-added efforts in animal health services. Minister Todd McClay mentioned the potential for cooperation in areas like waste-to-bioenergy and proposed the idea of an exchange program for veterinarians between the farming communities of Gujarat and New Zealand.