NIGERIA – Value4Dairy Consortium, led by Friesland Campina has inaugurated three dairy zone projects to transform the dairy sector in Nigeria.
Co-funded by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, this initiative aims to bolster small-scale milk production and promote sustainability across three key regions: Oyo, Osun, and Abuja.
The projects were launched at the inauguration ceremony held at the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) in Ibadan, Oyo State, on March 19, 2024, where government officials, industry leaders, farmers, and stakeholders gathered to celebrate the initiative.
According to Roger Adou, managing director of FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria PLC, the project signifies a substantial investment in Nigeria’s dairy sector and promises to bring about positive socio-economic impacts.
“The Value4Dairy Consortium’s approach goes beyond mere milk production, with a focus on broader societal benefits such as improved food security, enhanced nutrition, and mitigating conflicts between herders and farmers,” he noted.
“Through the establishment of self-sustaining dairy zones, the consortium aims to not only facilitate milk aggregation but also provide essential resources and training to enhance productivity sustainably.”
In addition, he revealed that the consortium plans to initially empower 10,000 pastoralists and smallholders, with future expansion targets aiming to include 40,000 milk producers.
“The consortium will leverage cutting-edge advancements in feed, breeding, and sustainable farming practices to uplift local farmers and drive economic prosperity across the sector.”
Meanwhile, the project’s impact extends to empowering women and fostering inclusive growth, embracing a gender-intentional approach to development.
Mrs. Winnie Lai-Solarin, Director of Animal Husbandry Services at the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, lauded the Value4Dairy Consortium’s efforts, emphasizing its significance in Nigeria’s agricultural landscape.
“FrieslandCampina WAMCO, alongside strategic partners like URUS, Barenbrug, and Agrifirm, is dedicated to driving progress within the Dairy Value Chain,” she said.
“These partnerships, coupled with initiatives such as the Value4Dairy Consortium and the Center for Nigeria Dutch Dairy Development (CNDDD), underscore FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s commitment to shaping the future of dairy development in Nigeria.”
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