FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s knowledge transfer strategy in dairy industry

FrieslandCampina 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 such as animal health and welfare, farm record keeping, feeding and watering, calf-rearing, milking hygiene, cow fertility, hoof care, housing and barn design. The programme will run for two weeks. It was launched in November at the company’s DDP operating communities in Oyo State.

Explaining the main goal of the Farmer2Farmer programme, Ore Famurewa, corporate affairs director, FrieslandCampina WAMCO, said the purpose of the programme was 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,” Famurewa said.

One of the objectives of FrieslandCampina WAMCO’s DDP, 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 specialised 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” she said.

“Through the DDP, 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,” she added.

ODINAKA ANUDU