NIGERIA – FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Nigeria’s leading dairy processor has made huge strides in the dairy industry, recording an increase in fresh milk collection from farmers to hit an all-time high record of 40,000 litres of milk per day.

The rise in milk output by the farmers was attributed to the producer deploying its backward integration plan debut Dairy Development Programme (DDP).

The Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria, Ben Langat, made the announcement as part of the company’s celebration of the World Milk Day 2020 in line with its grass to glass philosophy, reports The Guardian Nigeria.

He said, “We have been making steady progress in our commitment to the development of Nigeria’s dairy sector through our Dairy Development Programme and our efforts are yielding good results as we continue to keep our promise of providing nourishing dairy nutrition to millions of Nigerians.”

As the first dairy company to collect over 40,000 litres of fresh milk per day from local farmers, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has taken its thriving DDP, which it started with pastoralists in local communities in Oyo State, and replicated it across other states, according to Ore Famurewa, the Executive Director, Corporate Affairs, FrieslandCampina WAMCO.

She said, “In addition to Oyo State where we started the Dairy Development Programme 10 years ago, we have expanded our investments and operations to Ogun, Osun, Kwara and Niger states, especially in the last three years and have networked over 7000 dairy farmers.”

She further highlighted that the company’s crossbreeding programme is yielding good results with over 400 F1 cows born to farms of local dairy farmers.

In addition the company has developed dairy farms feeds to ensure all year round pasture for the cows and has continued with its biannual Farmer2Farmer programme, facilitated by Dutch dairy experts.

Under its Dairy Development Programme, FrieslandCampina WAMCO has transformed the mindset, productivity and livelihood of both male and female dairy farmers across five states where it operates the DDP.

In its response to the scourge of the COVID-19 global pandemic, especially among its DDP volunteers and extension workers, FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s mitigation strategy has been to consistently create awareness about the pandemic and what to do. 

“We have sensitized our farmers on the hazards and symptoms of the coronavirus disease, what to do to keep safe and healthy, and the fact that it is a personal responsibility to protect themselves and family against the virus,” explained John Adekunle, DDP Manager, FrieslandCampina WAMCO.

Both the private sector and government in Nigeria are pursuing the backward integration strategy to make the country self-sufficient in milk production. 

Last month, consumer goods manufacturer, Promasidor Nigeria invested US$5m (N2bn) in Ekiti State, aimed to reactivate the Moribund Ikun Dairy Farm, as a catalyst that will turn around the economic fortune of the state.

FOODBUSINESSAFRICA.COM

June 11, 2020