Conrad Smith: Farming and sport share similar demands
The challenges of high-performance sport and farming are not as dissimilar as they may first appear.
An invited presentation from a New Zealand professor on Biological Farming was well received by the Hindu business community and investors from around the world.
The presentation was made by Professor Guna Magesan, a New Zealander currently in Fiji, at the second World Hindu Economic Conference on August 10-11, 2013 at Bangkok, Thailand. The theme of the conference was "Strengthening Economy, Shaping Future".
Biological farming is a mix of conventional and organic farming practices involving careful crop and soil monitoring to ensure optimum yields, nutritional density and humus production.
More than 500 industrialists, traders, bankers, technocrats, economists, investors, businessmen and academicians from more than 20 countries participated in the conference. The main aim was to share their knowledge, experience and expertise on business opportunities and creation of wealth.
Following his successful presentation on biological farming, Magesan was approached by a number of investors, business people and landowners from Fiji, Thailand, Malaysia, India, Mauritius, and other African countries to set up large scale biological farming in their respective countries.
Vinod Kumar, a business delegate from New Zealand, says he was very impressed with Magesan's outstanding presentation on Biological Farming. "We need to utilise his services and expertise here in New Zealand," he says.
World Hindu Economic Forum (WHEF) is an initiative to create and synergise positive and mutually beneficial networking opportunities to facilitate the re-emergence of the wealth and economic prowess globally.
While discussing about his presentation, Magesan says he never knew that there was so much interest among the business community about biological farming.
"It is a welcome change. I hope more landowners from the Pacific region would also follow this trend," he says.
Magesan says his aim is to connect the investors and the landowners, who have common interest in biological farming, to come together and progress so that it is a win-win situation for both parties. It will also help the environment and the economy of the country.
He also says such connections might help in building business partnerships and collaborations.
Oamaru-based livestock handling specialist Te Pari has bought Combi Clamp, the New Zealand manufacturer of Combi Clamp manual sheep handlers.
Agriculture Minister Todd McClay has admitted that a scheme bringing workers from Pacific nations to work on orchards has become too hard to navigate but says changes are coming.
A new app designed in New Zealand aims to help sheep, beef and deer farmers capture, analyse and use body condition score data more effectively.
Canterbury farmer Andy Macfarlane has been appointed to the board of AgriZeroNZ, the public-private partnership designed to accelerate the development and deployment of emissions reduction tools for New Zealand farmers.
For over 50 years Mel Ewers has been supporting the apple sector navigate through compliance and quality assurance issues.
The apple sector is enjoying a bumper harvest season.

A fair question has been raised about how member-funded organisations should conduct themselves when taking a public position on any…
OPINION: It really is getting harder to lampoon government bureaucrats when they do such a good job of it themselves.…