By Femi Akinola
In a significant stride to boost dairy production nationwide, the Value 4 Dairy Consortium, spearheaded by Friesland Campina, has announced that it has secured a $5 million grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
This substantial grant announced on Monday, earmarked to cover 50% of the Consortium’s latest project, is dedicated to advancing systemic and sustainable local dairy production across the country.
Ore Famurewa, the Executive Director of Corporate Affairs at Friesland Campina WAMCO Nigeria Plc, confirmed the reception of the grant in an official statement.
She elaborated on the Value 4 Dairy Consortium, a collaborative initiative formed in April 2021, bringing together four strategic partners with expertise in various agricultural value chains. The partners include Friesland Campina (WAMCO), URUS, Barenbrug, and Agricfirm.
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Famurewa detailed how this private sector Consortium has crafted a model that serves as a roadmap for fostering a self-sufficient, competitive, climate-smart, and locally managed dairy sector.
The initial focus is on establishing three self-sustaining dairy zones in Oyo, Osun, and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
These designated zones, according to Famurewa, will function as hubs for training and supporting 10,000 pastoralists and small herders, with plans to expand and encompass 40,000 milk producers in subsequent years.
Each dairy zone is slated to feature a warehouse, outlets stocked with dairy farming inputs, and two milk connection points. Friesland Campina WAMCO will utilize these connection points to collect aggregated milk for processing into nutritious dairy products, ultimately catering to the needs of over five million Nigerians.
Mrs. Famurewa emphasized that the program is laser-focused on transforming the dairy sector.
She stated, “It will also contribute to improving food security, enhancing farmers’ income, promoting nutrition, reducing conflicts between herders and farmers, improving water access, and intensifying efforts to lower greenhouse gas emissions.”
