Alistair Polson, Special Agricultural Envoy, Shared New Zealand’s Reform Experience

On March 15, the Korea Rural Economic Institute held a seminar under the theme of “Agriculture and Agricultural Reform in New Zealand.”

Alistair Polson, special agricultural trade envoy from New Zealand, was the guest speaker of the seminar where he shared his country’s experience in agricultural reform since 1984.

Polson delivered an overall assessment of the reform which he said had positive effects on the agricultural sector and the national economy alike. He drew special attention to the fact that only one percent of all farmers in New Zealand left farming as a result of the reform.

The trade envoy also pointed out that the amount of sheep meat not only rose but the meat quality also improved contrary to common expectations and despite a 50% drop in the number of sheep raised across the country following the government’s withdrawal of all subsidies.

Further explaining that farmers in New Zealand are entrepreneurs who make decisions according to market signals and without protection from the government, he said that major markets of farmers are mostly overseas markets, with the ratio of agricultural produce sold overseas accounting for around 90% of the country’s total agricultural output. Furthermore, he said that farmers in New Zealand are willingly diversifying their products in order to export them to different parts of the world; and as farmers are free from overregulation, they have innovative cooperatives like Fonterra.

However, he cautions that, if the current problems faced by farmers in New Zealand are taken into account, it would be unwise to be self-complacent despite the agricultural sector’s growth potential. Consequently, he added, it is crucial to increase productivity and develop technologies through innovation if the country’s agricultural sector is to grow. To do so, he said, farmers, entrepreneurs, and the government are working closely together under cooperative partnership.

In the meantime, the trade envoy said that New Zealand will be a good partner to Korea’s progressive farmers who seek to enhance their export potential.

§ DATA :New Zealand's Agricultural Reform Experience:Rural Renewal

§  PHOTO