Owing to time restrictions, the group could only visit the Walcha Dairy before popping into a pub near the Walcha Council chambers for refreshments. 

“Walcha Council was honoured to be part of the reciprocal visit from the Ningbo Agricultural Area,” said Walcha Mayor Eric Noakes. 

“This visit continues the engagement that Namoi Unlimited has fostered with this area over a long period.”

In the past few years, scares involving domestically produced Chinese food products have meant there is a strong demand for Australian goods which are perceived as safe and wholesome. A 2016 study by the Financial Times found that food safety had become the number one concern among Chinese nationals.

“The group visited the Walcha Dairy and discussed our capacity to produce wool, beef and lamb,” Mr Noakes said. “With demand increasing for these products we feel that this engagement can only be of long-term benefit to Walcha.”

The delegation visited Quirindi and Walcha on Monday; Bingara and Tamworth on Tuesday; and will visit Gunnedah today for a seminar on exporting from the Namoi United areas before heading off to attend the largest agricultural event in the Southern Hemisphere - AgQuip.

“This initiative is part of our vision to grow the economy of the region by linking exporters with the business opportunity in Ningbo,” said Mayor of Gunnedah Shire Council and NU Chairperson, Jamie Chaffey.

“Ningbo is a province of 7.6 million people with an evolving economy and desire for the clean and green produce that we have here in the Namoi. In March this year, members of Namoi Unlimited visited Ningbo meeting with the Bureau of Agriculture and Forestry and businesses. This is our turn to reciprocate and discuss opportunities to directly link business with business – it’s exciting.”

Councils involved with Namoi Unlimited coordinated events and activities to enable exporters and potential trade between the two regions. In Bingara the group visited the Jac Wagyu farm and  the Gwydir Living Classroom education centre. They also toured the airport in Tamworth to see the proposed development before visiting the semolina production plant  Millwell Cush Pty Ltd. 

NU say members of the Ningbo delegation want to meet and talk with Councils and businesses about investment in value-add agricultural enterprises and renewables; Australian beef and lamb; vegetable, pasture and grains production; tourism exchange; research and technical exchange around farming and grazing

“Our role is to facilitate access to markets for business to make connections and talk opportunities, Mr Chaffey said.

“The interest in our region is growing, and our farmers and graziers are some of the best in the world, how we harness this opportunity to grow agriculture and value-add enterprises in our region is our opportunity.”

Namoi Unlimited member Councils are Walcha Council, Tamworth Regional Council, Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Gunnedah Shire Council and Gwydir Shire Council.

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