Dairy duo turn their dreams into reality
Two suitcases. That’s what now Fonterra farmers Manoj Kumar and Sumit Kamoj brought with them when they arrived in New Zealand from India in 2011.
But they also brought an eagerness to learn and work hard. Fast forward 14 years and that eagerness has seen the brothers now the proud owners of a Fonterra supplying farm, milking 1,200 cows on a 348ha property near Leeston in Canterbury.
Sumit says being part of a strong Co-op has helped them on their journey.
“We know that if we need any advice or help, it’s only a phone call away,” he says. We have a great relationship with our local rep Adam Winter and he’s been a big help to us. It’s a good feeling to know Fonterra has our backs and we are proud to be a part of a strong Co-op.”
Adam, the brother’s key Fonterra contact, says what the siblings have achieved since starting on their dairy journey is inspiring.
“It’s great to see Sumit and Manoj realise their dream of owning their own farm,” says Adam. “They are prime examples of what can be achieved in our industry through sheer hard work and not being afraid to take on new challenges and push themselves. Winning the 2021 New Zealand Share Farmers of the Year title is a great illustration of their dedication.”
Born and raised on a 10ha farm in a village in northern India, Manoj and Sumit formed a love of the land and farming from an early age.
“We only had a few cows so we knew how to milk them and look after them but when we first came to New Zealand dairying wasn’t really on our radar,” says Sumit.
We are extremely proud that we are part of the best dairy industry in the world that produces the world’s best quality milk and looks after its animals and the environment.
It was the opportunity to broaden their horizons that brought the brothers to these shores. The pair lived in Tauranga with Manoj studying horticulture and Sumit studying business management.
“We were also working part time in some kiwifruit orchards and through that we used to see the local dairy farms,” says Sumit.
Wanting to know more about the New Zealand dairy industry, the pair turned to YouTube for more information. “Dairying here was completely different to back home”, says Sumit. “The scale, the practices, the size of the farms and the number of cows.”
That sparked a new passion and after finishing their studies, the brothers started working as farm assistants in Wairarapa.
“The farmer we worked for had three farms and after a year he offered us a contract milking position on one of them”, says Sumit. “After a couple of years that grew into a sharemilking role and when another opportunity came up in Eketāhuna we ended up working on four different farms, two as 50:50 sharemilkers and two as contract milkers.”
The brothers have a close bond and Sumit says the opportunity to work together has been invaluable.
“We’ve always wanted to stay together and we’ve been fortunate that we’ve been able to do that in the farming roles we have had.”
With that in mind and wanting to progress further in the industry, the siblings’ dairying journey took them to Ashburton in Canterbury where they started 50:50 sharemilking on a 530ha, 2,100 cow property owned by Richard and Chrissie Wright.
The brothers and the Wrights have since set up their own sharemilking business which allowed Sumit and Manoj to purchase their farm.
“We could only afford a smaller farm but Richard came up with the idea of our sharemilking business purchasing a larger farm and as we earn more money, we can buy them out.”
It’s those sort of progression prospects and the support of others, including their Co-op, that Sumit says made them glad they chose to become dairy farmers.
“The dairy industry has a variety of opportunities to offer, especially to our younger generation, and the lifestyle itself is amazing.
“Through hard work and with a dream to chase, we have grown our business in the dairy industry and love every part of it. We are extremely proud that we are part of the best dairy industry in the world that produces the world’s best quality milk and looks after its animals and the environment.”