By Chioma
Umeha
Friesland Campina WAMCO
is transferring knowledge, skills and new information to dairy farmers in Oyo
State through its Diary Development Programme (DDP).
This time, the dairy maker
will bring the Farmer2Farmer programme to Nigeria to have a unique engagement
where certified dairy farmers from the Netherlands train Nigerian farmers on
best dairy farming practices.
The Dutch farmers will
engage local pastoralists on dairy farming practices like animal health and
welfare, farm record keeping, feeding and watering, calf-rearing, milking
hygiene, cow fertility, hoof care, housing and barn design. It will run for two
weeks. This programme was launched in November at the company’s DDP operating
communities in Oyo State.
Explaining the main goal
of the Farmer2Farmer programme, the Corporate Affairs Director,
FrieslandCampina WAMCO, Ore Famurewa said “It is to improve milk quality and
increase milk production on dairy farms. This visit of the Dutch farmers is the
first advisory mission to Nigeria of the Royal FrieslandCampina – Agriterra
partnership, which was set up in 2011 and renewed in 2015. “Our organisation
wants to positively influence the development of rural areas and dairy farming
communities in emerging economies. This is already contributing to higher
incomes for farmers and better living standards for their families as well as
safeguarding local food security in these markets.”
One of the objectives of
FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s Dairy Development Programme, of which the
Farmer2Farmer programme is part, is to make the dairy sector more attractive
for younger generations.
During the mission,
training, technical assistance and essential consultancy services will be given
to farmers and local extension workers that are engaged by FrieslandCampina
WAMCO.
The programme will also
provide intensive practical trainings and guidance for selected dairy farmers
who rear crossbreeds on their farms. Each of these farmers will receive two
days of specialized training on how to achieve the best yields.
“Ultimately, we have
created a platform where expert dairy farmers and their local counterparts talk
to each other in the farmer’s language to improve their farm practices,
co-create solutions to issues and generally learn new and better ways of dairy
farming. Beneficiaries of this training will in turn train other farmers to
help improve Nigeria’s dairy farming industry” Famurewa said.
Through the Dairy
Development Programme, FrieslandCampina WAMCO continues to share knowledge,
improve the livelihood of local dairy farmers and ensure that Nigerians have
access to affordable, safe and sustainable high-quality dairy products.
