PHL envoy to New Zealand pushes for dairy technology transfer 

Keen on dairy farming and pasture management technology transfer from New Zealand to the Philippines, Ambassador Virginia Benavidez recently visited three dairy farms in Batangas   Benavidez, the Philippines’ envoy to New Zealand, toured pastures and facilities of the Batangas Dairy Cooperative I (BADACO I), the Batangas Christian Dairy Foundation Inc. (BCDFI) and the JVVT farm.   "There were also discussions on possible areas of cooperation on dairy production, training of dairy workers and use of suitable farm technologies in New Zealand to boost dairy productivity of the Philippines," the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said.   Back in New Zealand, Benavidez met Filipino dairy workers who expressed interest in conducting training and technology transfer to farms in their homeland. There are about 600 Filipinos working in various New Zealand dairy farms, according to the envoy to Wellington.   Batangas working visit   Benavidez learned that the 60-hectare BADACO 1 farm has more than 150 milking cows, as well as many calves and yearlings.   She saw in the BCDFI farm at the foot of Mt. Maliponyo in Sto. Tomas, Batangas how dairy technology from New Zealand is being applied. BCDFI has 73 female cows including female calves and yearlings.   In her visit to the 30-hectare JVVT Farm, Benavidez found more than 50 heads of cattle, plus calves and yearlings.   "The visit to Batangas and the meetings and interaction with the farm managers, owners and workers highlight the urgency and importance of cooperation [among government agencies and stakeholders],” the DFA quoted Benavidez as saying. — ELR, GMA News