“Data is key to sustainability”

With a strong belief in data and making informed decisions to achieve sustainable farming, Samira Atashi, Data Steward, is an important person in the journey to reach DeLaval’s vision.

Samira wanted to join a company that was a thought leader and could make a real impact on its industry to increase the sustainability efforts and lower the impact the company has on its environment, and DeLaval was just that. “Throughout history, milk has always been one of the strategic foods, but with all the changes in the climate and consumption habits, the farming industry, in general, is trying to move away from the legacy models towards digital farming. I have realised that while DeLaval is continuously introducing digital solutions and services, there is still work to do to achieve the aim of implementing smart and sustainable farming, which is DeLaval’s vision. From experience, I believe data is a key to anything sustainable and smart, including farming. DeLaval and I share similar vision and goals for the farming industry, and I hope it leads to great causes,” says Samira. 

Getting a new perspective

She joined DeLaval in July 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic had really made its mark on society. She is currently leading the data governance practice in DeLaval’s Digital Services department. “Before joining DeLaval I had some general ideas about farming, the way it is working and its power and importance, but I had no experience in this industry. I always thought since farming has been a way of living of human beings, it must be simple and straightforward. But after joining DeLaval, I have realised how much this industry has evolved and how technologically advanced it is, and how delicate and complex each single activity and errand could be. This has really changed my view on how modern farming is conducted,” Samira explains.

Since joining DeLaval, Samira has really grown into her role and feels the support from all DeLaval colleagues. The welcoming culture in DeLaval has really made its mark on her, which is also the best thing about the company according to her. “What grabbed my attention is that DeLaval is a community or even a family rather than a company. ‘DeLavalists’, which is a self-coined term I use for DeLaval employees, care about what they are delivering – because they care for the farmers, animals’ well-being, and farming in general as well as consumers of dairy products. I have noticed how everyone tries hard to serve the farms and farmers with the practical knowledge, services and technologies, so the customers can steadily and effectively operate and manage their farms and animals,” Samira says.

The future is smart and sustainable

What is her recommendation, then, to future colleagues that wants to join DeLaval? What can they expect from the company that she herself has experienced during her almost two years in the company? “The farming industry is not just vital to human beings’ life, but also to animals and nature. I recommend people who want to be part of this industry to not think of it as work or job, but rather a way of living and a mindset,” Samira states.

Going forward, Samira is looking forward to the transition that is happening in the industry and seeing where it leads. “I am looking forward to the time when DeLaval becomes the very first fully data-driven company in the farming industry, and we can achieve and implement smart and sustainable farming through the utilisation and application of smart data. And I am very sure every one of us at DeLaval can contribute to this goal and accelerate this transition as we learn more and more about the role and significance of data in our daily routines and projects,” Samira concludes.

Thank you, Samira, for sharing your story and thoughts on the future of the dairy industry and the importance of data for sustainable farming!