The Central Economic Development Agency (CEDA) in association with ASB and the Hon Damien O’Connor, the Minister of Agriculture, Food Safety and Rural Communities, are proud to officially launch the third New Zealand AgriFood Week (NZAFW).
The overall theme for 2018 is Transforming Food Producers for the Future, which underpins each of the more than 10 events hosted throughout the Week.
“NZAFW’s purpose is to act as a forum for thought-leaders and decision makers to come together to address the primary industries’ biggest challenges, opportunities and potential, moving forward,” says the CEDA’s CEO Linda Stewart.
“The Week is also about identifying opportunities and working together across sectors, with local and central government, producers, growers and consumers to ensure Manawatū is leading the charge in product development, innovation and sustainability, for the benefit of New Zealand.”
Major themes across the week include developing the potential of farming industries, growing the primary industry’s work force, and how to respond to current challenges and opportunities around farming sustainably and responding to growing demand for synthetic meat and milk products.
Minister O’Connor who is in Manawatū to officially launch the Week, says meeting the changing demands of consumers is crucial to New Zealand’s success as a food producing nation.
“New Zealand’s economic future depends on our ability to sustainably produce premium, nutritious food for a growing global population,” he says.
“Reaching higher up the value chain we can continue to deliver what international consumers demand and in a way that is sustainable and leverages our competitive edge as quality food producers.
“Words like natural, organic and sustainable are increasingly used on the lips of those willing to pay more for products.”
NZAFW aims to address these challenges and find innovative responses together, for the benefit of our Primary Industries across New Zealand and our global profile as a high quality food producing nation.
Minister O’Connor will launch NZ Agri Food Week at the Opening Event, taking place at Te Manawa, in Palmerston North the evening of Tuesday March 13th. To follow, Wayne Mulligan, CEO of Fomana Capital, who focus on International Technology Investments is a keynote speaker. Combining Agri Food with digital technology will set a great tone for an inspirational week.
If you would like to attend the Opening Event, please get in touch with Janet Reynolds, CEDA Marketing Senior on the details provided below.
For more information on New Zealand AgriFood Week events please visit www.nzagrifoodweek.co.nz.
Media contact:
Janet Reynolds
021 066 1591
[email protected]
