FrieslandCampina WAMCO forms dairy consortium
FrieslandCampina WAMCO has signed a partnership agreement with other private sectors and these include URUS, Barenbrug and Agrifirm who have set up a strategic partnership tagged ‘Value4Dairy’ to increase self-sufficiency for dairy in Nigeria.
Nigeria targets to increase milk production from the current 600,000 metric tonnes to 1,700,000 metric tonnes by 2024, in a bid to reduce the US$1.5 billion dairy importation bill incurred by the country annually.
The consortium was launched by Vice President Yemi Osinbajo ably represented by the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Otunba Niyi Adebayo.
Also in attendance was the Honourable Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development, Alhaji Sabo Nanono, as the federal government on its part has created an enabling environment, as well as provision of needed infrastructure to help achieve this target.
The private sector has also joined the initiative with four leading dairy players in Nigeria forming a consortium, aimed to bring knowledge, high-quality products and long-term farming improvements to Nigeria.
These companies led by FrieslandCampina WAMCO include URUS, Barenbrug and Agrifirm who have set up a strategic partnership tagged ‘Value4Dairy’ to increase self-sufficiency for dairy in Nigeria.
According to FrieslandCampina WAMCO, the partnership is built on the companies’ global achievements and experiences with which they will accelerate sustainable dairy development to deliver high-quality nutrition for everyone involved in the dairy chain from farmer to consumer.
“Over the past months, we have discussed with these partners on ways to accelerate the progress of the Nigerian dairy sector. Our goal is to invest in local business models to enable the dairy sector to become self-sufficient and profitable throughout the entire chain.
“These companies represent the top of the global expertise in the dairy sector with proven performance in the field, excellent reputation with Royal status and maintaining world-leading market positions,” said Managing Director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, Ben Langat.
FrieslandCampina WAMCO has been a necessary part of most Nigerian homes since 1954 through its iconic brand Peak Milk, which will bring its expertise in specialized milk collection and processing.
URUS, a top provider for bovine genetics, cattle management software, dairy management reports, milk and soil testing, and calf care products, among others, will offer better breeding under the partnership.
Proper roughage production will be undertaken by Barenbrug, a Netherlands headquartered company with115-years of experience in research, development and production of grass seeds and legumes for agricultural and recreational markets.
Leading Dutch cooperative Agrifirm founded over 120 years ago offers its farming and feeding industry customers worldwide, measurable, sustainable and relevant solutions for the challenges they face every day.
Under the consortium, the firm will provide fitting animal feed to Nigeria’s dairy sector.
The partners will help to integrate the dairy sector and formulate homegrown methods to solve challenges, which previously hindered growth.
The consortium is currently working on defining synergetic plans that will increase local milk production and processing; for instance, combined infrastructures for the distribution of milk and semen.
They would train farmers to succeed more with better cow semen, grass seeds and feed supplements.
The business model along the entire dairy chain is expected to become more efficient and attractive to further investments; with the ultimate ambition of promoting a thriving and self-sustaining dairy sector.
Other than this recent initiative, FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria is developing Nigeria’s first expertise centre for dairy development, the Centre for Nigerian Dutch Dairy Development (CThe CNDDD will be the expert research and training institute for dairy development in the country focusing on breeding, farming and feeding management, as well as quality control and productivity (yield per cow).NDDD).
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