Nigeria’s foremost dairy company, FrieslandCampina WAMCO will partner Bowen University on milk production.
This disclosure was made by the Vice-Chancellor of Bowen University, Prof. Joshua Ogunwole who also pointed out that the aim of the university was to change the way herders in communities around the university rear livestock and produce milk.
In 2010, FrieslandCampina WAMCO started a Dairy Development Programme (DDP) to change the trajectory and now sources some of its milk from local Fulani farmers.
Earlier in April, FrieslandCampina WAMCO stated in a release: “We reiterate that FrieslandCampina WAMCO and its Partners have invested over 21 billion Naira in the DDP as the first dairy company to champion backward integration and lead sustainable dairy development in Nigeria. We are inspired by our plans for 2021 and beyond.”
According to the Vice-Chancellor, the university was set to have a positive impact on the economy of the town, as there are many pastoralists in Iwo and its environs where the university is located.
His words: “We will teach people to produce milk and we will purchase the milk from them. We will guide people on how to grow grasses for animals. We are not going to use the cattle you already know. We will use artificial insemination to develop the ones we want. We are doing that with the industry, with the makers of Peak milk, FrieslandCampina, and we are starting by the grace of God by the end of August.”
In a bid to expand its DDP scheme, has set up milk collection centres and bulking plants in Fasola, Maya, Iseyin, Akele and other communities in Oyo State.
So far, the Dutch dairy company has assisted 20 firms to set up ranches and farms where exotic and indigenous cow breeds are crossbred to produce genetically strong cattle that can adapt to the Nigerian environment and produce sufficient milk.
