News

Climate change and entrepreneurship in the Pacific

Climate change and entrepreneurship in the Pacific

22 February 2024

Prime is drawing on its extensive Pacific Islands networks and knowledge to highlight climate-related social entrepreneurship opportunities in the region. It is - more >

Pro bono work gives Director of Prime Consulting Pacific purpose

Pro bono work gives Director of Prime Consulting Pacific purpose

22 December 2023

Noellie Garand, the Director of Prime Consulting Pacific, is championing entrepreneurship in Fiji – one business at a time – as a way to give back to her - more >

Seven years of targeted support for Zambian dairy farmers celebrated with emotional event

Seven years of targeted support for Zambian dairy farmers celebrated with emotional event

21 December 2023

There were tears, cheers and hugs as the Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme (ZDTP) wrapped-up with an end-of-programme symposium. In a speech at the symposium - more >

Niue trust fund design for infrastructure financing

Niue trust fund design for infrastructure financing

15 December 2023

Nimmo-Bell & Associates, a division of Prime, is delighted to have been awarded a contract to design a trust fund for infrastructure financing in Niue. The work, - more >

Climate finance capacity building for Pacific Island countries

Climate finance capacity building for Pacific Island countries

15 December 2023

Pacific Island Countries (PICs) need funds to help strengthen their climate resilience in the face of increasing natural disasters; however, accessing funds from - more >

Scoping and design for One Health surveillance in Central Asia

Scoping and design for One Health surveillance in Central Asia

27 July 2023

Prime has been contracted to conduct a scoping and design exercise for a One Health surveillance framework covering several Central Asia countries. Image right: - more >

Australian farmer Andrew Smith champions soil health

Australian farmer Andrew Smith champions soil health

25 July 2023

Major concerns about the use of chemicals in agriculture and associated soil depletion are what prompted Australian farmer Andrew Smith to try more natural and - more >

Prime sponsors global women, peace and security working group

Prime sponsors global women, peace and security working group

16 February 2023

Prime is excited to have been given an opportunity through the International Stability Operations Association (ISOA) to elevate women’s voices in - more >

Season's greetings

Season's greetings

20 December 2022

A warm season’s greetings to all our business associates and friends! Wishing you a safe and happy festive season ahead. Once again it has been a busy year for - more >

Dairy industry representatives in Zambia united as Champions of Change

Dairy industry representatives in Zambia united as Champions of Change

26 July 2022

A group of dairy industry advisors from across Zambia have completed training on how to transfer knowledge successfully to farmers and other field extension - more >

More value at risk in New Zealand from invasive species

More value at risk in New Zealand from invasive species

21 July 2022

The economic cost of pests to New Zealand has increased over the past decade due to the higher value of primary sector production in the country. That’s a - more >

Supporting T&C Consulting to update 'One Health' Plan for Vietnam

Supporting T&C Consulting to update 'One Health' Plan for Vietnam

27 August 2021

Prime is supporting T&C Consulting in Vietnam to undertake the Formulation of One Health Partnership 5-Year Action Plan and Budget assignment in Vietnam, funded - more >

From programme participant to valued member of our ZDTP team: meet Gilbert Mweemba

From programme participant to valued member of our ZDTP team: meet Gilbert Mweemba

27 August 2021

Gilbert Mweemba and his wife Mary started working with the Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme (ZDTP) in 2017 and were "early adopters", - more >

Examining the economic cost of pests to New Zealand

Examining the economic cost of pests to New Zealand

26 August 2021

Nimmo-Bell & Associates, a division of Prime Consulting International, is proud to be assisting with a review of New Zealand’s biosecurity legislation to, - more >

Opportunities for New Zealand agritech companies in the UAE

Opportunities for New Zealand agritech companies in the UAE

25 August 2021

Alpha Kennedy, our Dubai-based Director for the Middle East and Africa, recently shared a few insights from his patch during a webinar hosted by New Zealand Trade and - more >

Paravet training using modern ICTs to be trialled in the Pacific Islands

Paravet training using modern ICTs to be trialled in the Pacific Islands

23 June 2021

Prime is delighted to be developing a pilot online training system using modern internet-based information communications technology for para-veterinary service - more >

Innovative beef programme proves successful

Innovative beef programme proves successful

12 August 2020

Marbled grass-fed beef from New Zealand is now presenting an attractive alternative to grain-fed beef from overseas. The new product is the result of the Marbled - more >

Messaging service helps Zambian organisations connect with farmers

Messaging service helps Zambian organisations connect with farmers

7 July 2020

After seeing the benefits of enhanced communication “in all sectors of the economy” following the introduction of social media to Zambia, Nathan Mwanaumo - more >

Back to New Zealand's woolly roots

Back to New Zealand's woolly roots

6 July 2020

Can strong wool be cool? Adding value to an overlooked product in New Zealand’s fibre industry. With international travel cut off at the knees as a result of - more >

UAE food security and Covid-19: Building resilience in the red meat sector

UAE food security and Covid-19: Building resilience in the red meat sector

5 May 2020

As movement restrictions begin to ease in the UAE, the impact of Covid-19 continues to ripple through the food sector. The meat sector in the UAE is not immune. - more >

Uzbekistan pushes for increased urbanisation of less-populated cities

Uzbekistan pushes for increased urbanisation of less-populated cities

20 April 2020

Prime is contributing to the design and preparation of urban development projects for the Republic of Uzbekistan as the former Soviet republic pushes for increased - more >

UAE food security and Covid-19: Three steps to navigating global food disruptions

UAE food security and Covid-19: Three steps to navigating global food disruptions

19 April 2020

As the world continues its fight against Covid-19, the impact of control measures such as lockdowns and border closures, coupled with members of the workforce falling - more >

Supporting practical and achievable development for Kiribati's future

Supporting practical and achievable development for Kiribati's future

17 April 2020

Nimmo-Bell & Associates, a Division of the Prime Group of companies, has been contracted by New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) to - more >

Improving water security across Afghanistan

Improving water security across Afghanistan

6 April 2020

Work is under way on the design of interventions aimed at improving water security across Afghanistan’s water challenged provinces. Right: A rangelands crop in - more >

Cheese expert from Turkey advises Afghan dairy manufacturing company

Cheese expert from Turkey advises Afghan dairy manufacturing company

3 December 2019

A cheese master from Turkey reflects on his time advising a dairy manufacturing company in Afghanistan, which Prime is supporting as part of a livestock industries - more >

Introducing our new associate: Jannie MaritzĀ 

Introducing our new associate: Jannie MaritzĀ 

2 December 2019

Prime is happy to welcome South African animal scientist and production specialist Jannie Maritz to its team of Associate Consultants and Technical Specialists, after - more >

A fascinating career providing advisory services to Pacific Island trust funds

A fascinating career providing advisory services to Pacific Island trust funds

19 November 2019

Dr Brian Bell, retiring Director of Nimmo-Bell & Associates, reflects on a fascinating career providing advisory services to trust funds in Tuvalu and other - more >

Zambian Milk Collection Centre manager pleased with improved milk quality

Zambian Milk Collection Centre manager pleased with improved milk quality

30 September 2019

Zambian dairy farmer and Milk Collection Centre Manager Ngoza Banda Mwaba is proud of what her community has achieved in terms of milk - more >

Prime welcomes Catalyst Group

Prime welcomes Catalyst Group

18 September 2019

Prime Group is happy to welcome US-based Catalyst Group to its stable of companies and is now seeking opportunities in the North American management consulting and - more >

Running an aid organisation in the midst of chaos

Running an aid organisation in the midst of chaos

12 September 2019

Just last month, New Zealand organisation ReliefAid reached the milestone of 100,000 deliveries of much-needed humanitarian aid to families and individuals caught up - more >

Addressing growth challenges in Afghanistan's livestock sectors

Addressing growth challenges in Afghanistan's livestock sectors

21 August 2019

Prime is proud to be working with Afghan agri-businesses to address longstanding growth challenges in the country’s poultry, small ruminant, dairy and other - more >

Celebrating the enduring legacy of development efforts in Bamyan

Celebrating the enduring legacy of development efforts in Bamyan

22 July 2019

Staff involved in Prime’s first international development programme in Afghanistan are elated about the success of a recent in-field follow up. Right: Bamyan - more >

Farewell to our Zambian colleague Ngolwe Sikazwe

Farewell to our Zambian colleague Ngolwe Sikazwe

16 July 2019

This week we are farewelling Ngolwe Sikazwe, who has been with the Zambia Dairy Transformation Programme (ZDTP) since March 2018. All of us at Prime Consulting - more >

Scientific evidence shows improving livestock productivity also reduces their environmental footprint

Scientific evidence shows improving livestock productivity also reduces their environmental footprint

9 July 2019

Agricultural development programmes, such as those funded by the New Zealand Government, recognise that small holder farmers in developing countries face significant - more >

Seeking professional agri-consultants for assignments in Afghanistan

Seeking professional agri-consultants for assignments in Afghanistan

8 July 2019

Now hiring! Seeking professional agri-consultants for assignments in Afghanistan. Prime is currently undertaking a recruitment drive for agri-consultants from - more >

Empowering local staff in international development

Empowering local staff in international development

7 July 2019

One of the cornerstones of our approach is empowering local staff, so that the legacy of our international development work can continue beyond the term of any - more >

Studying unintended consequences in agriculture-related international development

Studying unintended consequences in agriculture-related international development

24 June 2019

A member of Prime Consulting International’s leadership team is studying the “vexed issue” of unintended consequences in - more >

Reflecting on the global importance of family farming

Reflecting on the global importance of family farming

28 May 2019

This week we’re reflecting on the importance of family farming as we enter the United Nations Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028), which launches at - more >

The early adopter bringing others on board

The early adopter bringing others on board

27 May 2019

After receiving help to improve his dairy farming enterprise, Gilbert Mweemba wants to give back by teaching his rural neighbours everything he - more >

Cook Islands secures funding to help front-foot climate change

Cook Islands secures funding to help front-foot climate change

27 May 2019

The Cook Islands has secured US $3 million to help front-foot climate change off the back of a proposal jointly prepared by our subsidiary Nimmo-Bell & Associates - more >

Spotlight on Koronivia Research Station

Spotlight on Koronivia Research Station

27 May 2019

Check out this great video about the demonstration dairy farm established at Koronivia Research Station in Suva as part of the Fiji Dairy Industry Development - more >

Climate-smart agriculture makes economic sense

Climate-smart agriculture makes economic sense

24 March 2019

We are proud to be part of the international community working to confront climate change while at the same time helping to improve the livelihoods of farmers around - more >

What have we been up to around the globe?

What have we been up to around the globe?

19 December 2018

The year 2018 was a busy and productive one for Prime’s hardworking and expanding team. Here’s a round-up of what we’ve been up to around the - more >

Want to invest in the global farm-to-market supply chain?

Want to invest in the global farm-to-market supply chain?

8 November 2018

We recently spent some time sharing another side to our business at Agriscape – an excellent annual trade event in Abu Dhabi. While one focus of our business is - more >

Check dam development in Bamyan, Afghanistan

Check dam development in Bamyan, Afghanistan

10 September 2018

We have produced a book offering an insight into a project we did in Afghanistan that enhanced the life of 20-plus communities 2,400 metres above sea - more >

Transforming farmer groups to accelerate smallholder growth

Transforming farmer groups to accelerate smallholder growth

29 August 2018

Prime has worked with farmer groups in Afghanistan, the Caribbean, Fiji and now we’re doing the same in Zambia. Our in-country Programme Manager, Tania Thomson, - more >

From army officer to international development project manager

From army officer to international development project manager

22 August 2018

Alpha Kennedy was just 20 when he arrived in Afghanistan in 2009 to lead up to 35 people in the field as a Patrol Commander with the International Security Assistance - more >

Inaugural potato festival celebrates valuable crop in Afghanistan

Inaugural potato festival celebrates valuable crop in Afghanistan

27 September 2017

The humble potato is enjoying heightened attention in Afghanistan following Bamyan Province’s inaugural Potato Blossom Festival. The two-day event drew 400 people - more >

Prime expands its international development portfolio

Prime expands its international development portfolio

8 February 2017

Over the past couple of years, Prime Consulting International Ltd has expanded its international aid and development work into several new countries – Zambia, - more >

Drawing on New Zealand experience to improve the Fiji dairy industry

Drawing on New Zealand experience to improve the Fiji dairy industry

16 December 2016

A five-year initiative is drawing on New Zealand experience to improve the productivity and profitability of the Fiji dairy industry and tackle a shortage of fresh - more >

Financial literacy - a key driver of international development outcomes?

Financial literacy - a key driver of international development outcomes?

11 September 2016

Private sector development is increasingly becoming the focus of foreign aid projects. But trendy doesn’t mean easy. Projects aiming to develop the private - more >

You can't drink petrol - industrialisation versus food security

You can't drink petrol - industrialisation versus food security

14 May 2016

This article presents a thought-provoking case study on economic development in emerging economies. For the past 30 years the Government of Malaysia has encouraged - more >

Afghan honey features on BBC Persian Television

Afghan honey features on BBC Persian Television

14 May 2016

The all-female Katakhana Beekeeping Co-operative from Bamyan Province recently attended a national beekeeping conference in Kabul where it showed off its - more >

Harnessing the power of solar energy in Afghanistan

Harnessing the power of solar energy in Afghanistan

13 March 2016

The legacy from a major investment into solar energy in Afghanistan by the New Zealand Government is set to endure as staff from a local power company in Bamyan Province - more >

Janine Price - Waste Warrior

Janine Price - Waste Warrior

23 February 2016

Janine Price has been Manager - Environment at Australian Pork Limited (APL) for more than six years. In 2012, she was the key industry contact for Prime Consulting - more >

Feeding the future - ICT and agriculture

Feeding the future - ICT and agriculture

1 December 2015

In the foreword of a report in 2013, the then Assistant Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), Hiroyuki Konuma, said - more >

The endless possibilities of biogas - from piggeries in Australia to agricultural industrial parks in Afghanistan

The endless possibilities of biogas - from piggeries in Australia to agricultural industrial parks in Afghanistan

28 November 2015

In 2012, Prime Consulting International Ltd was contracted by Australian Pork Ltd (APL) to develop a Code of Practice for the safe design, construction, operation and - more >

Geospatial technology moves mainstream in agriculture - and now offers benefits to some of the world's poorest communities

Geospatial technology moves mainstream in agriculture - and now offers benefits to some of the world's poorest communities

23 November 2015

Geospatial technology has emerged as a powerful tool for the collection, management and analysis of agricultural information over the last couple of decades and its - more >