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FrieslandCampina WAMCO partners Dutch farmers on dairy knowledge transfer

By Editor
05 December 2017   |   11:01 pm
To aid knowledge transfer under its Dairy Development Programme (DDP), FrieslandCampina WAMCO, for the first time, will bring certified dairy farmers from the Netherlands to train and advice Nigerian farmers on best dairy farming practices. Through its Farmer2Farmer programme, Dutch farmers are expected to engage local pastoralists on dairy farming practices like animal health and…

To aid knowledge transfer under its Dairy Development Programme (DDP), FrieslandCampina WAMCO, for the first time, will bring certified dairy farmers from the Netherlands to train and advice Nigerian farmers on best dairy farming practices.

Through its Farmer2Farmer programme, Dutch farmers are expected to 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.

Launched in November at the company’s DDP operating communities in Oyo State, the programme is expected to run for two weeks.

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 a 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.

According to the dairy firm, 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.

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