New Zealand Agritechnology Going for Gold

New Zealand Agritechnology Going for Gold with New CD Industry association

New Zealand Agritech Inc (NZA) in partnership with national economic and export development agency New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is unveiling plans to produce a CD-Rom showcasing New Zealand’s excellence in pastoral farming technology.

The interactive CD-Rom will help convert the awareness of New Zealand’s agricultural technology into sales, according to NZA chief executive John Wilson.

“Two years ago we produced 10,000 copies of a coffee table book outlining the history and benefits of New Zealand farming. The book was very well received and it drove a lot more hits to our website (www.agritech.org.nz), but it was heavy and costly to send around the world. The CD-Rom will include case studies and solutions for overseas farmers to adopt, with listings from agritech companies. The CD-Rom will be much easier to distribute.”

Wilson says the CD text will be translated into Spanish and Portuguese to reach the emerging South American market. “As more farmers around the world are using computers, the CD-Rom has the potential to reach more prospective customers and provide a direct link back to New Zealand agritech firms.”

A farmer in remote Brazil or outback Australia will be able to explore the 10 categories of agritech products and services, look at case studies and then contact the relevant New Zealand company. “Agritech companies can choose their level of involvement in the venture. One advantage of the CD-Rom format is the ease of updating and changing.”

NZA currently has 70 full and 28 associate members, ranging from household names to ‘ma & pa’ spare room businesses producing products and services to assist farmers produce more profitably.

“At NZA’s annual dinner at Fieldays we’ll outline the concept, how it will work and give a sneak preview of the ‘look and feel’ of the CD-Rom. We are currently working with NZTE developing a database to circulate the CD-Rom to farmers, agents and distributors in key markets.”

Wilson believes the initiative will raise the profile of New Zealand’s agritech industry overseas. “It is going to make a significant contribution to our marketing overseas. We’ll be able to quantify the results, not just in more hits to our website, but in increased sales. The CD-Rom project is another example of how we are working with our strategic partner NZTE for the benefit of our members and the good of all New Zealanders.”

NZTE’s director of Agritech and Life Sciences David Powell says NZTE will be utilising its global network and specific industry contacts to ensure the CD-Rom reaches its target audiences. “This CD-Rom is part of NZTE’s efforts to get more agritech companies export-oriented. Our strategy for the agritech sector is about working alongside companies and allies like NZA to build capability and develop niche high-margin products.

Secondly we want to increase the number of marketing using pasture-based farming systems – and therefore creating markets for New Zealand technologies. In particular we want to see significant growth in South America and China. Our goal is lift export earnings from its current $650 million to more than $1 billion.”

The CD-Rom will be filling Christmas stockings later this year.

ENDS

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