FrieslandCampina WAMCO to create Nigeria’s first expertise center for dairy development
The initiative - Center for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Development (CNDDD) - will focus on improving dairy productivity and sustainability throughout the entire dairy value chain in Nigeria.
Ben Langat, managing director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, said the new center aims to foster cooperation among dairy stakeholders.
Langat said, “The Center for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Development will engage and promote cooperation between the government, private sector, academics, students and dairy farmers. It will undertake activities that will improve the dairy chain in Nigeria, focusing on both the upstream and downstream sides of the chain.”
The CNDDD will be the research and training institute for dairy development in Nigeria. It will focus on breeding, farm and feed management, quality control, and productivity (yield per cow).
Langat also said the Nigeria dairy sector presently faces major challenges, “however, FrieslandCampina WAMCO in partnership with the Federal Government is determined to transform the sector from its current subsistence phase to a commercial quality-focused model.”
FrieslandCampina WAMCO envisages as the country’s population continues to grow, the establishment of a strong agricultural sector is one of the pillars that will bring economic and social stability in Nigeria. This requires the long-term development of all areas needed to create a strong, effective and efficient dairy sector based on milk yield, milk quality, breeding strategy, feeding, collection infrastructure and a route to the market.
Langat said, “with FrieslandCampina’s dairy expertise and grass-to-glass philosophy, we are committed to growing the local dairy industry. From our experience, close co-operation between public and private sector has proven to be a key success factor.”
“FrieslandCampina is pleased to be able to share its 150 years’ experience in dairy farming and production with its Nigerian partners through the CNDDD.”
FrieslandCampina WAMCO has been developing local milk sourcing through its Dairy Development Programme (DDP). This investment in five states in Nigeria with more than 9,000 dairy farmers (including 950 women) has seen sustained growth over a decade. FrieslandCampina WAMCO said it aims to broaden and deepen inclusive growth in local milk sourcing by partnering to provide the required expert support and improve knowledge of local dairy farmers.
